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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
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 • 49544 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 • 53817 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 • 26154 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 • 99873 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 • 26204 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 • 19926 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 • 22348 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 • 20250 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 • 70129 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 • 66299 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 • 25713 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 • 23952 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 • 32501 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 • 141412 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 • 26476 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 • 27077 views
Budanov: Russia has always tried and will continue to try to quarrel Poland and Ukraine

The head of Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Service, Kyrylo Budanov, said that Russia was trying to set Ukraine and Poland at odds. He emphasized the importance of US support and called the Ukrainian army the largest in Europe.

War in Ukraine • February 19, 09:30 AM • 103499 views
“Combat effectiveness has increased significantly": the DIU tells about the training of DPRK military in Russia

The North Korean military is rapidly mastering modern weapons and tactics in Russia. The GUR reports a significant improvement in their combat effectiveness and a possible increase in their contingent.

War in Ukraine • February 19, 08:20 AM • 62567 views
“Sharing intelligence and combat experience would be mutually beneficial.” Budanov on cooperation with South Korea

Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov stated that Ukraine and South Korea have common interests in confronting the DPRK. He emphasized the importance of sharing intelligence and combat experience between the countries.

Politics • February 18, 12:19 PM • 21234 views
“This cooperation poses a serious threat to the international community.” Budanov on Russia-North Korea relations

Russia and North Korea are stepping up military cooperation in technology, science and industry. russia has helped improve the accuracy of North Korea's KN-23 missiles, which poses a threat to international security.

War in Ukraine • February 18, 11:38 AM • 24645 views
Budanov: DPRK troops are still operating as part of the Russian Armed Forces, but have suffered losses of 4000 soldiers

4000 DPRK soldiers have been killed or wounded in Ukraine, but their activities continue. About 12,000 North Korean soldiers are operating as part of Russian units.

War in Ukraine • February 18, 11:04 AM • 26544 views
Defense forces consolidated and pushed the enemy back in the area of Suji - military

Ukrainian troops have gained a foothold and pushed the enemy back in the Suji area of Kursk. A small number of North Korean troops were spotted in this area of the front.

War in Ukraine • February 10, 01:04 PM • 31279 views
Zelensky: Russian army in Kursk region has brought North Korean soldiers back - Zelensky

The Russian army has again engaged DPRK soldiers in combat operations in the Kursk region. According to Zelenskyy, a significant number of occupants, including North Korean soldiers, were destroyed.

War in Ukraine • February 7, 06:37 PM • 27510 views
North Korean troops likely preparing for new attacks in Kursk region - British intelligence

DPRK units temporarily left their advanced positions in the Kursk region to regroup. According to British intelligence, this may be due to heavy losses during the attacks.

War in Ukraine • February 7, 01:27 PM • 25490 views
Russia has created troops of unmanned systems and wants to involve 210 thousand soldiers - Syrsky

Russia is forming a new kind of troops - unmanned systems troops, which by 2030 should number 210,000 soldiers in 277 units.

War in Ukraine • February 6, 09:42 AM • 26159 views
The number of combat actions decreased at the front: the General Staff named the “hottest” areas

Over the last day, 80 combat engagements took place, most of them in the Pokrovske, Toretske and Kursk sectors. The enemy launched 66 air strikes and fired over 4100 times at Ukrainian positions.

War in Ukraine • February 4, 10:33 PM • 27875 views
Budanov disputes that the DPRK soldiers withdrew from the front line in Kursk region

The head of the GUR said that about 8,000 DPRK troops continue to fight on the front line in Kursk, although their activity has decreased. Budanov denied media reports about the withdrawal of North Korean troops from the front line.

War in Ukraine • February 4, 03:44 PM • 25218 views
Kerch Bridge remains one of the goals - Navy spokesman

Navy spokesman Dmytro Pletenchuk confirmed that the Kerch Bridge is one of the targets in the region. The Russians are stepping up their defense of the facility and preparing for possible attacks after losing half of their defenses to storms.

War in Ukraine • February 3, 09:24 AM • 42085 views
SBU opens case over leak of information from Budanov's closed meeting with MPs

The SBU opened a criminal investigation into the disclosure of state secrets after a closed meeting between the head of the DIU and MPs. The DIU denied information about Budanov's statements about the threat to Ukraine's existence.

Politics • January 31, 03:08 PM • 155070 views
Zelensky had a long conversation with Budanov about current tasks and prospects

The President of Ukraine had a lengthy conversation with the Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Budanov on tasks and possible scenarios. He also listened to a report by Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Syrskyi on the situation at the front and noted the success of military units.

War in Ukraine • January 30, 07:24 PM • 51936 views