The head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, who accurately predicted Russia’s invasion of Ukraine down to the hour, showed confidence in retaking Crimea. In an interview with the Washington Post (WP), Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense’s director of military intelligence, Kirilo Budanou, expressed his view that Crimea could be recovered.
According to the Washington Post report on the 31st (local time), Director Budanou met with reporters at his office in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, on the 20th and said, “We are (forces) to ensure that Crimea can return to its hometown (Ukraine) by summer (this year). As far as I can reach) I have to do everything,” he said. It was expected that this year, Russia would focus on increasing occupied territories in the eastern Donbass region, including Donetsk and Luhansk, while Ukrainian forces would do their best to recapture Crimea.
Crimea, a Ukrainian territory, was occupied by Russia in 2014. Russia claimed Crimea as its territory and annexed it, but the international community has not recognized it.
When asked if there was a possibility that Russian President Vladimir Putin would use nuclear weapons if Ukrainian forces advanced to Crimea, Budanow said, “That is not true. And Crimea will be returned to us.” He called the observation of President Putin’s use of nuclear weapons a “scare tactic”. I’m sorry, but that won’t happen.”
“If[Russia]carries out a nuclear attack, it will not only result in military defeat for Russia, but also the collapse of Russia. And they (Russia) know this very well.”
He added, “I have more to say. It all started in Crimea in 2014, and (everything) will end there.”
In addition, it is unlikely that Russian forces stationed in Belarus, north of the Ukrainian border, will invade Ukraine again, and it is only an attempt to distract Ukrainian forces, said Budanow.
▲ Bridge replacement work is taking place on the 31st (local time) on the Crimean Bridge, which directly connects the Crimean Peninsula, which was annexed by Russia in 2014, and the Russian mainland. On October 8, 2022, part of the Crimean Bridge was destroyed by a truck explosion. All four lanes under restoration are scheduled to open in March this year. 2023.1.31 TASS = Yonhap News
Budanou, like the US and British intelligence agencies, predicted the Russian invasion accurately. Director Budanou reported to the government an analysis that Russia would attempt to occupy Kieu before the start of the Russian invasion, naming the expected time as around 4:00 a.m. Kiiu time on February 24 last year. In fact, President Putin announced the launch of the special military operation in a televised speech broadcast throughout Russia with 10 minutes left before 5:00 am on the same day. In other words, Director Budanou’s prediction was correct down to the unit of time. As a result, he gained great trust in the Ukrainian government and politics. Even during the war, Budanow accurately predicted Russian military plans months in advance.
Among Budanou’s allegations was that Putin was terminally ill with cancer and that he had set up several doubles who looked alike. “Now (even if someone who appears to be Putin appears), it is no longer possible to say with certainty whether or not he is the real Putin,” he argued.
“What’s next? Ukraine’s victory. I am not talking about anything new.”
Reporter Kwon Yoon-hee
