The head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine, General Kyrylo Budanov, reacted sharply to the news that Russia had issued a warrant for his arrest, saying that he could finally be satisfied.
“You know how long I’ve been working and it was a bit awkward that I wasn’t making any decisions [în Rusia]. I am pleased. This is a good indicator of the work we are doing, I promise to work even better,” he said in his first reaction to “Ukrainian Pravda”.
His comments came after a Russian court issued a warrant for his arrest on Monday on charges of “terrorism” and “arms smuggling.” The preventive measure against him was announced “in absentia”, allegedly admitting that Budanov could not be detained.
“Ukrainian Pravda” notes that the accusations are related to the explosion, which disabled the Kerch bridge connecting Crimea with Russia on October 8 last year.
A day later, Russian President Vladimir Putin personally condemned the “terrorist attack”, which, according to him, was “conceived, carried out and ordered by the Ukrainian special services.” A day later, Russia launched a “retaliatory missile attack” on civilian objects in Ukraine.
In an interview with Forbes Ukraine on February 22, just two days before the anniversary of the beginning of the Russian invasion, Budanov suggested that the numerous fires that have recently broken out in Russia are no coincidence, noting that “money works wonders.” “.
General Budanov, one of the main targets of the Russian special services
The American newspaper The Washington Post, in an article published at the end of January based on interviews with several sources, noted that there were at least 10 assassination attempts on Budanov by Russian special services both before and after the war began. in Ukraine.
It is believed that at this stage, only President Volodymyr Zelenskyi would be ahead of the Ukrainian general.
It is believed that Zelensky survived more than 12 attempts to kill him by Russian forces since the beginning of the war.
According to sources cited by American media, Budanov is one of Russia’s main targets, as the Kremlin considers him responsible for the destruction of the Kerch bridge that connects Russia to Crimea last October.
Budanov was considered the front-runner to replace Oleksiy Reznikov, Ukraine’s defense minister, amid rumors of his reshuffle by President Zelensky amid a corruption scandal that rocked the Ukrainian state earlier this year.
However, Reznikov was ultimately retained in office.
HotNews.ro interviewed Budanov in March of this year, when we asked him how he felt “in the position of a person who has been the target of several assassination attempts.”
Follow the latest news of the 422nd day of the war in Ukraine LIVETEXT on HOTNEWS.RO.
Source: Hot News
James Springer is a renowned author and opinion writer, known for his bold and thought-provoking articles on a wide range of topics. He currently works as a writer at 247 news reel, where he uses his unique voice and sharp wit to offer fresh perspectives on current events. His articles are widely read and shared and has earned him a reputation as a talented and insightful writer.