Ukrainian intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov warned on Wednesday of the possibility of “increasing attacks” on Russian territory, without specifying whether the offensives will be carried out by Ukrainian forces.
In an interview with the American channel ABC in Kiev, the head of the Ukrainian secret does not admit that his country was involved in a drone attack on the Russian air base in Engels, 600 kilometers from the border with Ukraine, on December 26. “be glad it happened”.
At the same time, he warns that there will be “increasing attacks” on Russian soil, but he will not be ready to comment on Ukraine’s possible responsibility until the war is over.
On the contrary, regarding attacks targeting Crimea annexed by Russia in 2014, Budanov claimed that it is Ukrainian territory: “We can use weapons on our territory.”
In late December, the intelligence chief visited Bakhmut in the Donetsk region, one of the hottest spots in the conflict, and said he was shocked by what he saw.
“There are hundreds of corpses rotting in the open field. In some places they are piled on top of other bodies like makeshift walls. When Russian troops attack, they use these bodies as cover, as shields.”described. ‘But it does not work. There are still fields of corpses there.’
Budanov also stated that Russia is running out of armaments, forcing it to resort to “cheaper” and “abundant” solutions, such as Iranian-made self-destructing drones.
The United States announced the delivery of a Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine at the end of December, in addition to the financial support of more than 20 billion euros guaranteed by the administration of President Joe Biden since the start of the conflict.
“I want to express my gratitude for all the help we have received and I want to ask you to continue to support Ukraine.”said Budanov, addressing US citizens: “I promise it won’t be long before every American taxpayer will be able to see where every penny has gone. Let’s change this world together.”
In Ukraine, according to Budanov, Bradley tanks from the United States are still expected, which will “significantly improve the combat capability” of the Ukrainian armed forces.
The head of the secret expects fighting to be “hotter” in the spring, a period when, he assures, Ukraine is planning a major attack on Russian units.
“It is the liberation of territories and the last defeats for the Russian Federation”he stated, adding that “this will happen all over Ukraine, from Crimea to Donbass”.
The military offensive launched by Russia in Ukraine on February 24 has already led to the flight of more than 14 million people – 6.5 million internally displaced and more than 7.9 million to European countries – according to the latest UN data. Nations. this refugee crisis as the worst in Europe since World War II (1939-1945).
Currently, 17.7 million Ukrainians need humanitarian aid and 9.3 million need food aid and shelter.
The Russian invasion – justified by the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, with the need to “denazify” and demilitarize Ukraine for Russian security – was condemned by the international community at large, which responded by sending weapons to Ukraine and Russia political and economic sanctions.
The UN presented 6,919 dead civilians and 11,075 wounded as confirmed since the start of the war, emphasizing that these numbers are far below the real ones.
Source: DN
