Budanov predicts an intensification of the Russian offensive at the beginning of summer

Head of the General Intelligence Department Kirill Budanov / Photo: Vitaly Nosach

The head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, Kyrylo Budanov, called the situation on the front line «difficult but controlled.» According to him, Russia's offensive actions are expected in Ukraine by the end of spring.

In an interview with the German TV channel ARD, he stated this.

«They (the Russian Armed Forces, — note) will advance a little towards Chasove Yar. They will move towards the city of Pokrovsk, the strategic direction of Pokrovsk,» said Kyrylo Budanov.

At the same time, the head of intelligence believes that there will be no significant changes on the front line before the expected Russian offensive.

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«The situation is quite difficult, but it is under control,» assured Kyrylo Budanov.

He also does not rule out a Ukrainian offensive this year, adding that Ukraine currently needs «additional volumes of artillery systems, additional volumes of ammunition.»

Commenting on the joint procurement by European countries of 800,000 artillery ammunition for the Armed Forces of Ukraine initiated by the Czech Republic in third countries, the head of the General Intelligence Directorate said that he currently «does not feel» their presence on the front line.

It should be reminded that Russia plans to mobilize an additional 300,000 servicemen by June 1.

Earlier, it was reported that Russia has started to more actively recruit women into the army. This indicates a lack of human resources on the part of the enemy.

Updated law on mobilization in Ukraine

On December 19, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a final press conference where he announced that the General Staff and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, proposed to mobilize an additional 400-500 thousand people for military operations.

Later, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, commented on plans to mobilize 500 thousand people into the ranks of the Ukrainian army. He said that the military command has not submitted a request for specific numbers.

The Chairman of the President's faction «Servant of the People», Davyd Arakhamiia, stated that on December 25, the government was supposed to submit a draft law on mobilization, which he has been working on at the request of the military.

The Committee of the Verkhovna Rada on National Security, Defense and Intelligence started considering a new draft law on mobilization on January 4. Discussions with the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and representatives of the Ministry of Defense will last several days.

On January 11, draft law No. 10378 on improving mobilization, military registration, and military service was sent back for revision.