Kyrylo Budanov is the most public leader of military intelligence not only in the history of Ukraine but also on a global scale.
Here is a partial excerpt from the interview for BBC Ukraine.
About the course of the war:
BBC: You are known for your forecasts. Quite positive forecasts. You know what I'm talking about - "The Armed Forces of Ukraine will soon be in Crimea" and so on. Do you regret it?
Kyrylo Budanov: I said, "We will enter Crimea."
BBC: Do you regret those words?
Kyrylo Budanov: Never. I never regret the past. At all. That sometimes the situation changes drastically - after all, if you are talking about my personal words, then our units entered Crimea.
BBC: Don't you think such forecasts give people false hope?
Kyrylo Budanov: No, they don't give false hope. These are real-time forecasts. If something turns out a little differently - sorry, it makes its adjustments.
BBC: You often mention in your interviews that your forecasts are based on...
Kyrylo Budanov: On facts, figures, documents, and the like.
BBC: What do these figures tell you today?
Kyrylo Budanov: We are facing a quite difficult situation in the near future, according to our assessment. But it's not catastrophic, that also needs to be understood. Armageddon will not happen, as many are starting to say now. But there will be problems from mid-May.
BBC: And if we talk about the front.
Kyrylo Budanov: I'm talking about the front too. It's a comprehensive approach because the Russians will use a comprehensive approach. They are conducting a comprehensive operation. We won't talk about it for long, but it will be a difficult period. Mid-May, early June.
BBC: Also about the internal political situation?
Kyrylo Budanov: Everything.
