Budanov believes that Russia is preparing to occupy the Baltic States in 2027
20 December 20:06
The head of the Defense Ministry’s Main Intelligence Directorate, Kyrylo Budanov, said that Russia has adjusted the timeline for preparing for possible military actions against European states, shifting it from 2030 to 2027. According to him, the Kremlin’s key goal is the occupation of the Baltic states.
He spoke about this during a speech at the LB Club event, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
Budanov noted that Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia could be the first targets of the Russian Federation.
“In the north, there is only the Arctic Ocean and then America. Not an option, because it will hurt. To the east is the Pacific Ocean and America again. The answer is the same. To the south is China, which will be catastrophic – a land border, the same conditions as we had in the war with the Russian Federation, only for them. The only thing left is the West, which in their understanding, pardon the phraseology, is “greedy,” “sick,” “weak,” and “indecisive,” the DIU chief said.
At the same time, according to Ukrainian intelligence, Poland is currently being considered by Russia “purely for strikes, for a military campaign without capture.“
“According to the plans that we know, Poland is now being considered purely for strikes, for a military campaign without capture,” Budanov said.
He also explained that Russia’s desire to occupy new territories is driven by its imperial ideology, because “for an empire to develop, you always have to move somewhere to expand your influence and territory.”
“The answer lies in the plane of deep historical and psychological traumas. In the worldview of Russians. These are phantom pains, as I call them. From their point of view, everything is absolutely right. The way they see the world is north-south, west-east. In order for an empire – and they see themselves as an empire – to develop, you always have to move somewhere to expand your influence and territory. This, by the way, is the answer to many questions,” Budanov added.
