Director of the Defense Intelligence Service of Ukraine (HUR) Kyrylo Budanov.
Russia’s war against Ukraine started 10 years ago and full-scale war has been going on since 2022, he said, so war fatigue is becoming more and more evident on both the individual level and society. “I’m not criticizing, it’s an understandable phenomenon. The important thing was to find solutions and we found them in time,” Mr. Budanov said.
Russia is waging a war not only against Ukraine but also against NATO, as its propaganda has stated from the beginning, Budanov claimed.
He continued: “Every day I read classified Russian reports and other reports circulating through various channels. They all talk about ‘attacks on NATO bases,’ clearly indicating that there are ’50 Poles’, ’30 French’…They know that this is not true but they are still spreading this information.”
Budanov noted that Russian detainees were always surprised that they did not encounter any NATO soldiers in Ukraine. Ukraine is just the first stage.
The intelligence chief also emphasized that Western sanctions against Russia are still inadequate. The restrictions would have crippled key sectors of the Russian economy such as energy, metallurgy and the financial system.
Budanov addressed a number of other issues, including the need to supply Ukraine with more artillery systems and artillery shells, both modern and old, as well as the need to support the stability of the Ukrainian economy.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk had previously criticized the West’s war, emphasized the importance of additional support for Ukraine and called on partners to “mobilize their full strength”.
“I can’t bear to hear politicians talk about being tired of the situation in Ukraine,” Mr. Tusk said. They told President Zelensky that they were tired of this situation. I will ask for help from Ukraine from day one.”
