"We really need this aid": Ukraine's intelligence chief gives interview to CNN
Photo: Reuters
Head of the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, gave an interview to the American publication CNN.
He talked about Trump, the shortage of ammunition, and attack jets for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Rubryka reports, citing СNN.
Western Military Aid
"We really need this aid," Budanov told CNN. The most urgent needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the front lines are artillery ammunition and guns. "Not so much the quality as the quantity," he added.
The defense intelligence chief also said he would like the US to provide Ukraine with A-10 Thunderbolt attack aircraft. He believes "this is what can really help inflict a military defeat" on Russia.
Regarding drones on the front lines, Budanov said that Russia and Ukraine are on the same level.
Trump and Financial Aid from the US
In his CNN interview, Kyrylo Budanov also shared his thoughts on the freezing of financial aid from the US and the possible return of Donald Trump to the presidency. The intelligence chief mentioned that he is not particularly concerned about these issues.
"We are expecting a positive decision anyway. To say that [Trump] and the Republican Party are lovers of the Russian Federation is complete nonsense," Budanov said.
CNN notes that Trump boasted on social media that he trusts Vladimir Putin more than some American intelligence officers.
Dismissal of Zaluzhnyi
Against the backdrop of recent rumors about the possible dismissal of Valerii Zaluzhny from the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Budanov was one of the potential candidates for this position, according to CNN. The intelligence chief declined to comment on these reports and stated that he has no personal conflicts with anyone.
Assassination Attempts
The publication reports that Kyrylo Budanov has survived at least ten assassination attempts. Last year, Russians came dangerously close to him. In November 2023, his wife, Mariana Budanova, was hospitalized with apparent heavy metal poisoning, including cyanide and mercury.
Attacks on Russia
According to Budanov, attacks on Russian infrastructure may escalate.
"Hypothetically, there is a plan according to which all this happens," he said. "And I believe that this plan includes all the major critical infrastructure facilities and military infrastructure facilities of the Russian Federation."
According to the spy chief, the Russian civilian population finally "see the real picture [of war]. They see burning oil depots, destroyed buildings in factories and plants, and so on. This is all beneficial."
End of the War
Budanov assured that he is confident in Ukraine's complete victory over Russia, despite public concerns about the fatigue of Ukrainian troops, Russia's advantage in domestic military production, and the lack of movement on the front lines.
According to the intelligence chief, the next six months will be "interesting" because "the Russian offensive on the front lines will end."
Journalists note that Budanov was firm in his belief in Ukraine's complete victory over Russia, despite public concerns about the fatigue of Ukrainian troops, Russia's advantage in domestic military production, and the lack of movement on the front lines.
According to Budanov, the war can only end in one way:
"The establishment of justice — This is how it will end. With the return of what was lost."
Situation with the Il-76 crash
CNN asked Kyrylo Budanov if there were Ukrainian prisoners of war on the Il-76 aircraft that recently crashed in the Belgorod region of Russia. He noted that Russia has not provided any evidence to support its claims.
"If everything is as they say, then the first thing they should have done was to show a gruesome picture. Let's say the field covered with corpses. And show it to the whole world," he said.
Kyrylo Budanov pointed out that the unsuccessful Ukrainian counteroffensive in 2023 cannot be called a "disaster" and that the Armed Forces cannot do it without mobilization. He also stated that without the assistance of North Korea, the situation with ammunition in Russia "would have been catastrophic."
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