Ukraine’s foremost intelligence expert, Major General Kyrylo Budanov, envisages Russia nearing its breaking point. With the nation teetering on the brink, drone strikes are amplifying a pervasive sense of dread.
At the recent Yalta European Strategy (YES) summit held in Kiev, the chief of Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) opined that Russia might not sustain its invasion campaign in Ukraine much beyond a year. Newsweek reports that despite Moscow’s strategic recalibrations, the tides haven’t favored the Kremlin; the ramifications have strained both its military might and its fiscal foundations.
Previously noted for orchestrating psychological offensives against Russia, Budanov is optimistic about Ukraine securing a triumph possibly before 2024’s culmination. In delineating the warfare’s span, he emphasized its transient nature. As Newsweek documents, based on the intel at hand, Russia’s resilience in the protracted battle seems uncertain.
Russia’s Vulnerability Exposed as Drone Strikes Disrupt Civil Life
Although Ukraine’s recent southeastern counter-push hasn’t proceeded at the anticipated pace, sparking worries over reclaiming territories, Budanov accentuates it as a mere fragment of Ukraine’s comprehensive game plan. Obstructions, including expansive mine zones and overwhelming artillery, notwithstanding, the advancement remains undeterred.
Focusing on Russia’s present fragility, Budanov depicted it as notably diminished from its pre-2022 stature, both economically and militarily. He underscored Ukraine’s unyielding war objectives, cautioning that any deviation might merely “stagnate” the ongoing conflict. Concluding, he highlighted the disarray instigated by drone assaults within Russia, with Newsweek pinpointing consequent civil aviation interruptions and a surge in civilian insurance procurement, corroborating the drone-induced chaos.
Image: President.gov.ua, President’s participation in the events on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Ukraine’s military intelligence 03, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, (no modifications made)