Ukraine’s intelligence chief, Major General Kyrylo Budanov, claimed there were “active discussions” in Russia about Putin’s ouster.
As Ukraine continues its recapture of territories lost since the war began on February 24, 2022, Russia is reportedly preparing for the post-Vladimir Putin. At least that’s what Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s secret service, told The War Zone.
For him it is “unlikely” that Vladimir Putin “survives the end of the war”. “There is currently a lively debate in Russia about who should replace him,” he assures.
“The people of the Russian Federation will continue to support the government and its actions until defeat.” And if Russia loses, Budanov predicts that the Russians “will immediately start saying that they have nothing to do with it and that their leaders are wrong lay”.
It remains to be seen when Putin might be overthrown. For the head of the enemy’s intelligence service, the question arises “not now, but as soon as Russia suffers defeat, it will happen very quickly.”
However, Budanov remains pessimistic about the changes that Vladimir Putin’s departure will bring to the top of the country. “I don’t believe in the Russians at all. I don’t think he has a good man behind him, but whoever comes to power will certainly blame Putin for all the damage that has been done.”
Kherson recaptured in late November, Crimea 2023
Kyrylo Budanov also brings up a whole range of issues in this River interview, such as Iranian drones and the advance of the Ukrainian army on the front lines. For him, “Kherson will be recaptured before the end of November,” inflicting a significant defeat on Russia.
But the goal remains to find the borders of 1991, the date of Ukraine’s independence. And for this it will be necessary to recapture Crimea. What Budanov does not see “until next year”.