Budanov named the main obstacles slowing down the Ukrainian counteroffensive

The Ukrainian counter-offensive continues despite the difficulties. The advance of our troops is slowed down by the continuous mining of the territories temporarily occupied by the enemy and the large number of kamikaze drones in the possession of Russian troops.

"The main problems encountered are solid mining and a huge number of small kamikaze drones," Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate, said this at the annual Yalta European Strategy (YES) forum. He was quoted by the Interfax-Ukraine.

The head of the DIU noted that the Russians have well-built defense lines and a large number of portable anti-tank complexes. According to him, the artillery of the enemy "is no longer playing the first role."

"No matter how it may seem to some, the offensive continues. It's not going as fast as I would like it to, I'm not hiding it either. First of all, I am not the Commander-in-Chief or the Chief of the General Staff, these questions are better addressed to them. All I can tell you is that the situation there [at the front] is quite complicated. The enemy made it as complicated as possible," Budanov said.

He was asked whether the change of weather would affect the dynamics. The head of Ukrainian Military Intelligence replied that "one way or another, the fighting will continue," but admitted that "it is more difficult to fight in the cold, wet and mud."

"The fighting will continue. The offensive operation in all directions, which is held in several directions, will also continue," he said.

According to Budanov, the occupiers do not have time to adapt their strategy, but at the same time Russian troops are learning from mistakes and "there are positive shifts for them, unfortunately."

"You can't just say that they have a bad strategy, that they are fools or other things. No, that's not the case. They are adapting, trying to change the tactics of using their armed forces," the head of the DIU emphasized.

For example, the enemy began to use drones en masse, and this is something "they did not have such an opportunity before the war against Ukraine"

"Now they are copying our actions in many respects," Budanov added.

As OBOZREVATEL wrote, on September 7, 2023, the Day of Military Intelligence of Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky promoted Kyrylo Budanov. He is not a major-general now but a lieutenant-general.

Only verified information from us on Telegram Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!