Kyrylo Budanov, the Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine's Ministry of Defense, has provided insights into Russia's plans and the ongoing offensive in Kharkiv region. He also assures that Russia will not be able to fully destroy Ukraine's energy system.
In an interview with TSN, Budanov commented on the situation:
On the impact of flooding and darkness, and the potential for a currency trading halt:
"Unfortunately, it must be noted that they are quite systematically adapting their society to these problems. And in general, the level of demand in their society is much lower than in ours."
On the possibility of a revolt in Russia:
"A revolt on its own cannot occur. Only a strong leader, like Prigozhin, could make it happen, but such a leader is not currently apparent."
On the threat of a Russian offensive in the Baltic States:
"This is a constant and, as they say, potential threat. Nothing more. There is no concrete indication."
On what Russia is not preparing for:
"As long as the war is ongoing in Ukraine, nothing problematic from Russia can emerge elsewhere."
On the Kremlin's plans for 2024:
"The maximum objective is to gain control over Ukraine by any means possible. In general, by any means. The minimum objective, which remains unchanged, is to reach the administrative borders of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. This has not changed at all."
"Buffer Zone" in Kharkiv region: Will Russians Repeat the Offensive from the North?
Kyrylo Budanov commented on the situation in Kharkiv region:
On the attempt to create a buffer zone:
"Regarding Kharkiv region, the attempt was to create a buffer zone. Well, it failed. They failed in that."
On whether they will abandon these attempts:
"No. Because they remain on the occupied territories of Kharkiv region. But it is a matter of time."
On how strikes on Russia have changed the course of the war:
"No, I will not discuss that with you. However, an interesting point: recently drones reached certain airfields in the Russian Federation. To the northern ones. To Olenya. There were damaged long-range bombers, and this forced them to delay their mass strikes against us for a few days."
On whether Russia can destroy Ukraine's energy system and if there will be a response:
"All these nodes are very heavily protected. Just as we try to protect ours. Similarly, comparable measures are taking place in Russia. They have taken the path of increasing their air defense systems. They have much greater capacity for that, as they are producers of such systems. So, to say that we will now destroy their energy system, well, that would be a bit incorrect. We will not fully destroy it. Just as they will not completely destroy ours. The Soviet system was maximally branched and conditionally duplicated three or four times, or in certain nodes. Making life difficult is possible. Completely destroying it is almost impossible."
