Stand behind Ukrainian independent journalism when it’s needed most. Help us reach 20,000 members.

Skip to content
Edit post

Budanov hints at plan to increase strikes on Russian critical infrastructure

by Nate Ostiller and The Kyiv Independent news desk February 1, 2024 9:35 AM 2 min read
Ukraine's military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov in Kyiv on Sept. 5, 2023. (Viktor Kovalchuk/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)
This audio is created with AI assistance

There is a "hypothetical" plan to increase the number of Ukrainian strikes on Russian critical infrastructure and military facilities within Russia, said the chief of Ukraine's military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, in an interview with CNN published on Jan. 31.

Multiple drone strikes on oil depots in Russia were reported in January, including in Krasnodar, Bryansk, Oryol, and Leningrad oblasts. Kyiv often does not comment on alleged attacks inside Russia.

Budanov also did not explicitly acknowledge Ukraine's responsibility in the recent spate of strikes within Russia but said that it was "quite possible" Ukraine was involved.

He added that a "hypothetical" plan exists to increase the tempo of such strikes, potentially including "all the major critical infrastructure facilities and military infrastructure facilities of the Russian Federation."

Beyond the impact on Russia's military capacity and industrial infrastructure, the strikes expose Russian civilians to the reality of the full-scale war, Budanov said.

They finally "see the real picture (of war). They see burning oil depots, destroyed buildings in factories and plants, and so on. This is all beneficial."

Budanov said that Ukraine and Russia have relatively similar drone capabilities, but Russia has a significant advantage with artillery and ammunition.

Ukraine has received modern artillery systems from its Western allies, but ammunition is increasingly in short supply as the EU has faltered in its goal to provide Ukraine with 1 million artillery shells by March 2024.

Russia has upped its own domestic military production capacity and likely received a significant amount of ammunition from its allies.

North Korea has reportedly provided Moscow with at least 1 million shells, as well as short-range ballistic missiles and other weaponry. North Korean shells have already allegedly been used on the battlefield in Ukraine, military intelligence spokesperson Andrii Yusov said on Jan. 31.

While the condition of North Korean shells may be questionable, it is "not so much the quality as the quantity," said Budanov.

"Shells are one of the most decisive factors in this war," he added.

‌                                    

Read Also

Understanding Zelensky’s decree on Russian lands ‘historically inhabited by Ukrainians’  Unity Day, observed on Jan. 22 in Ukraine as a state holiday, typically commemorates the 1919 unification of eastern and western Ukraine. But this year, the date garnered attention for a decree signed by President Volodymyr Zelensky relating to modern-day Russian territories that were historically p…                                                                           The Kyiv Independent                                     Kate Tsurkan                                                                                  

Independent journalism needs a community —
not a paywall.

We’re working hard to show the world the truth of Russia’s brutal war — and we’re keeping it free for everyone, because reliable information should be available to all.

Our goal: reach 20,000 members to prove independent journalism can survive without paywalls, billionaires, or compromise. Will you help us do it?

Can we reach 20,000 members?

News Feed

11:51 PM

Trump 'very surprised, disappointed' at Russian attacks on Ukraine amid peace talks.

"I've gotten to see things I was very surprised at. Rockets being shot into cities like Kyiv during a negotiation that was maybe very close to ending," Trump said during a news conference in the Oval Office. "All of a sudden rockets got shot into a couple of cities and people died. I saw thing I was surprised at and I don't like being surprised, so I'm very disappointed in that way."
5:10 PM

All territory will revert to Ukraine, predicts US diplomat.

The Kyiv Independent’s Chris York sits down with Michael Carpenter, former U.S. Ambassador to OSCE and senior director for Europe at the National Security Council, to discuss the current lagging U.S. military support for Ukraine amid the ongoing ceasefire talks with Russia. Carpenter also offers his predictions for the future of Ukraine’s occupied territories.
10:10 AM

Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 7, injure 39 over past day.

Ukrainian forces downed 26 out of the 90 drones, including Shahed-type attack drones, launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported. Thirty drones were intercepted by electronic warfare or disappeared from radars without causing any damage, according to the statement.
9:21 AM

NATO expansion 'fair' concern for Putin, Kellogg says.

"And that's one of the issues Russia will bring up... They're also talking about Georgia, they're talking about Moldova, they're talking — obviously — about Ukraine. And we're saying, 'Okay, let's address this comprehensively,'" U.S. President Donald Trump's Special Envoy Keith Kellogg said.
MORE NEWS

Editors' Picks

Enter your email to subscribe
Please, enter correct email address
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Explaining Ukraine with Kate Tsurkan
* indicates required
Successfuly subscribed
Thank you for signing up for this newsletter. We’ve sent you a confirmation email.