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Kyrylo Budanov

Head of the Office of the President
Kyrylo Oleksiyovych Budanov was born on January 4, 1986, in Kyiv. He received his education at the Odesa Institute of Land Forces. He has been serving in Ukraine's military intelligence since 2007. With the outbreak of war in 2014, he participated in combat operations in eastern Ukraine and special operations of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU), including in Crimea. He was wounded three times in battle. Since 2020, he has held the position of Head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine. In 2026, he headed the Office of the President of Ukraine.
2007
Graduated from the Odesa Institute of Land Forces
2014
Participated in combat operations in eastern Ukraine
2016
Conducted special operations in the temporarily occupied territories
2020
Headed the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine
2021
Received the military rank of Brigadier General
2022
Became a Major General
2022
Was included in the composition of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief
2023
Received the military rank of Lieutenant General
2023
Awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, 3rd Class
News by theme
HUR on the pre-Easter exchange: was prepared for a long time, terms were moved several times

HUR representative Andriy Yusov said that the large pre-Easter exchange was prepared for a long time, deadlines were postponed. This was the 63rd exchange, 246 soldiers and 31 persons outside of it were returned; the condition is different, there are seriously ill.

War in Ukraine • April 20, 07:58 AM • 12949 views
"Ukraine welcomes you": Budanov showed a touching video of the return of soldiers from captivity

Head of the GUR Budanov released a video of how soldiers released from captivity react to returning to Ukraine. Ombudsman Lubinets showed the conversation of a soldier with his mother: "Mom, I endured everything".

Society • April 19, 04:59 PM • 9568 views
Russian military aircraft spotted near Alaska: Is this a threat of war?

U. S. armed forces have detected Russian military aircraft in the Alaska defense zone. NORAD stated that these flights occur regularly.

News of the World • April 15, 10:01 AM • 6324 views
Kellogg stated that Russia carried out targeted strikes on civilian objects in Sumy

U. S. Special Representative Keith Kellogg condemned the Russian strike on Sumy, where 32 people died. He emphasized that these were targeted attacks on civilian objects.

War in Ukraine • April 13, 03:31 PM • 10688 views
Budanov named the Russian units that struck Sumy

Russia struck Sumy with Iskander-M ballistic missiles. Budanov reported that this was done by calculations of the 112th and 448th missile brigades from the territory of Voronezh and Kursk regions.

War in Ukraine • April 13, 12:43 PM • 40377 views
The first military intelligence recruitment center has opened in Ukraine. Budanov voiced his expectations

The first public GRU platform for the selection of intelligence officers has been opened. Candidates will undergo testing and consultations, and the average passing rate is only 1 in 100.

War in Ukraine • April 11, 01:20 PM • 8429 views
Budanov: russia will not significantly reduce the army after the war

According to the head of the HUR, russia will not significantly reduce the size of the army after the war, as this contradicts its defense strategy. A large budget will be released after the end of hostilities.

War in Ukraine • April 5, 11:49 PM • 10958 views
Budanov: society should be ready to learn the whole truth about the war later

The head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, Kyrylo Budanov, stated that during the war, it is not worth revealing the whole truth, as people's consciousness may not be ready for the harsh reality.

Society • April 5, 09:52 PM • 27843 views
The first mosque for Muslim soldiers has appeared in Ukraine: Budanov was at the opening

On the initiative of the Defence Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence, the first mosque for Muslim soldiers "As-Salam" has been opened in Ukraine. Kyrylo Budanov thanked the soldiers for their courage and presented the mosque with collections of prayers.

Society • March 27, 12:12 PM • 23035 views
At the talks in Jeddah, the humanitarian track was no less important than the security one

Andriy Yermak stated that the issue of prisoner exchange is a priority. Ukraine emphasizes that the humanitarian track is no less important than the security one.

War in Ukraine • March 21, 09:24 PM • 15961 views
Telegram celebrates its first billion active users

Telegram has reached 1 billion monthly active users, surpassing many competitors. Pavel Durov announced the independence and profitability of the messenger.

News of the World • March 19, 04:02 PM • 22305 views
Budanov revealed why Russia urgently needs a pause in the war

Russia has reached the maximum production of military goods and spends about $1 billion a day on the war. The budget of the Russian Federation for 2025 allocates a record 32.5% for defense.

War in Ukraine • March 10, 02:28 PM • 29277 views
Budanov questions whether sustainable peace will be achieved this year

The DIU chief believes that a ceasefire is possible in 2025, but doubts that a sustainable peace will be achieved. According to him, Russia's strategic goal for Ukraine remains unchanged.

War in Ukraine • February 25, 02:08 PM • 48465 views
Budanov on the attempts on his life: it's a normal thing, no need to dramatize it

The head of the GUR, Kyrylo Budanov, said that attempts on his life were normal and did not need to be dramatized. Over the three years of war, the SBU has identified 102 enemy intelligence networks that planned assassinations of Ukraine's leadership.

War in Ukraine • February 25, 01:55 PM • 31526 views
Budanov explained under what conditions Poland could become the next target for Russia

The head of the Defense Intelligence Service said that Russia is seeking to restore an empire modeled after the USSR with the Warsaw Pact countries, and the next targets could be Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Bulgaria.

War in Ukraine • February 25, 12:34 PM • 49520 views
Budanov: Russia sees itself as an empire and will not stop trying to achieve the absorption of Ukraine

The head of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine said that Russia sees itself as an empire and will not stop trying to absorb Ukraine. According to him, Russia needs a pause to recuperate and destabilize the situation in Ukraine.

War in Ukraine • February 25, 11:51 AM • 53800 views
Russia is stepping up cooperation with Iran and North Korea in support of the war against Ukraine - ISW

Russia is stepping up military cooperation with Iran and North Korea to support the war in Ukraine. The DPRK supplies ammunition and plans to transfer ballistic missiles, while Iran helps with the production of drones.

War in Ukraine • February 24, 05:15 AM • 26143 views
Explosions are heard in Kyiv: Air defense destroys Russian drones

In the evening of February 23, movement of enemy UAVs and air defense operations were spotted in Kyiv. Drones are approaching the city center from the south and northeast.

War in Ukraine • February 23, 09:15 PM • 99853 views
Budanov says whether the Kremlin has a “date for the end of the war”

According to the DIU chief, the date of the war's end depends on the agreements of all parties.

War in Ukraine • February 23, 02:23 PM • 26192 views
Ivashchenko: Russia plans to produce 7 million artillery ammunition and mines in 2025

Russia intends to produce more than 7 million artillery munitions and large-caliber mines in 2025. It also plans to produce about 3,000 long-range missiles.

War in Ukraine • February 23, 02:15 PM • 19922 views
DPRK meets all the needs of the Russian front in ammunition by 50% - Budanov

North Korea has begun large-scale arms shipments, including 170-mm howitzers and 240-mm MLRS.

War in Ukraine • February 23, 02:02 PM • 22329 views
DIU Chief Reveals Pace of Russian Advance at the Front

The head of the GUR, Kirill Budanov, said that Russia continues its offensive, but does not achieve its goals. The situation at the front remains under control, despite the problems on both sides.

War in Ukraine • February 23, 01:52 PM • 20245 views
Budanov: Russia's top leadership has realized what a terrible mistake it made in 2022 by attacking Ukraine

Budanov, the head of the GUR, said that the Russian leadership realized the mistake of the invasion due to false intelligence. Russia planned to capture Kyiv in 3 days, but their calculations were wrong.

War in Ukraine • February 23, 01:47 PM • 70103 views
“The bombers are loaded": Budanov on possible massive Russian attacks on February 24

The head of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, answered whether to expect a new massive Russian attack before the anniversary of the invasion. As previously reported by the intelligence service, Russia launched more than 1,150 drones, 1,400 bombs and 35 missiles at Ukraine over the past week.

War in Ukraine • February 23, 12:17 PM • 66262 views
On the eve of the invasion, Budanov emphasized that it could have been deterred by increased U.S. aid

In November 2021, the head of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, Kirill Budanov, predicted plans for a Russian invasion. He emphasized that increased aid from the United States could deter a Russian attack.

War in Ukraine • February 20, 01:33 PM • 25690 views
“Show me at least one country in the world where this would work.” Budanov on deployment of peacekeepers in Ukraine

The head of the Defense Intelligence expressed doubts about the effectiveness of deploying a peacekeeping contingent to Ukraine. Budanov also discussed possible formats of security guarantees, noting the complexity of the NATO issue.

War in Ukraine • February 20, 12:59 PM • 23934 views
“Their goal is clearly articulated”: Budanov explains Trump's words on ending the war

The DIU chief explained that Trump's goal is simply to stop the war, without determining a winner or a loser. Budanov predicts a possible ceasefire by the end of 2025.

War in Ukraine • February 20, 12:35 PM • 32488 views
“There are most of the components for this.” Budanov believes ceasefire possible by end of year

The head of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, has announced a possible ceasefire in Ukraine by the end of 2025. According to him, most of the necessary components are already in place, despite the opposing positions of the parties.

War in Ukraine • February 20, 11:49 AM • 141387 views
Europe is united as never before in supporting Ukraine: Shmyhal talks to Tusk

The Prime Minister of Ukraine had a productive conversation with the Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk. They discussed military logistics, European integration and support for the 16th package of EU sanctions.

War in Ukraine • February 19, 02:00 PM • 26464 views
South Korea is ready to accept North Korean prisoners of war from Ukraine

The South Korean government has declared its readiness to accept captured North Korean soldiers. Among the captured DPRK representatives, there is already a desire to obtain refugee status in South Korea.

War in Ukraine • February 19, 01:49 PM • 27064 views