Budanov: Russia may launch an offensive in another area
14 May 2024 13:11
The head of Ukraine’s Defence Ministry’s Main Intelligence Directorate, Kyrylo Budanov, has said that Russia will attempt an offensive in the direction of Sumy after Kharkiv. Budanov told The New York Times, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
Like most Ukrainian officials and military experts, Budanov believes that Russian attacks in the northeast are aimed at stretching the already small number of Ukrainian troops and diverting them from fighting elsewhere.
“General Budanov said he expects the attacks in the Kharkiv region to continue for another three to four days, after which Russian troops are expected to launch a major offensive towards Sumy, a city about 90 miles northwest of Kharkiv,”
– the newspaper writes.
Budanov described the situation in northeastern Ukraine as “on the verge of critical”. The newspaper noted that the head of the GRU spoke to them via video link from a bunker in Kharkiv.
Budanov also assessed that Ukrainian troops in Kharkiv region would be able to strengthen their positions and stabilise the frontline over the next few days. At the same time, he noted that Ukrainian forces are stretched thin and have minimal reserves, in addition to a lack of weapons.
He said that the Ukrainian army had tried to redeploy troops from other areas of the front line to strengthen its defences in the northeast, but had found it difficult to find personnel.
“All our forces are either here or in Chasovyi Yar. I used everything we had. Unfortunately, we have no one else in reserve,”
– Budanov said.
The head of the Main Intelligence Directorate said that the Russians’ goal in the northeast was to sow panic in the region.
“At the moment, our task is to stabilise the line and then start pushing them back across the border,” he said,
– he said.
Budanov emphasised that the inflow of Ukrainian reserves managed to partially disrupt Russia’s plans.
