Head of Ukrainian Intelligence: We will continue to stand strong but we need fighter jets and air defence systems

Denys Karlovsky – Monday, 28 March 2022, 17:53

Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, stated that Ukraine’s defenders are prepared for a protracted war, but they need fighter jets and air and missile defence systems.

Source: Kyrylo Budanov in an interview to Coffee or Die

According to Budanov: "We stand strong and we can continue standing for a long time. We are prepared for this. We will liberate all of the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

But we need help. We need serious air and missile defence systems, 155mm calibre and more artillery systems, and combat aircraft."

Details: Budanov explained that Ukraine’s army needs 5th generation fighter jets. According to him, the Russian army has numerous 4th generation jets, which exceed, several times over, the forces and capabilities of Ukrainian aircraft.

Therefore, in order to fight back against Russian aviation, the Ukrainian army needs fighter jets that will be qualitatively superior.

Budanov stressed that Ukraine will prevail over Russia in any case, the only question that remains is how long it will take. Budanov reiterated that if Ukraine’s western partners provide the weapons it requested, Ukrainian troops will be able to stop the advance of the Russian army – and therefore ensure peace and stability in the region – sooner.

At the same time, the head of the Intelligence Directorate thanked Ukraine’s western allies for their help and promised that Ukrainians will never forget this help that arrived at the time when it was needed the most.

Background:

• In the same interview, Budanov said that Ukrainian troops struck a ship in Berdyansk right when fuel and ammunition trucks were on it. According to him, this was possible because intelligence agents in the Russian government helped the Ukrainian troops to identify the right moment.
• In an interview with Nation, an American magazine, on 25 March, Budanov spoke about the measures taken by Ukrainian intelligence to launch guerrilla warfare behind the Russian occupying forces’ lines. He said that hunters and woodsmen were ready to make the lives of Russian troops "a living hell" as soon as the forests turn green.