Kyrylo Budanov

US Presidential Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg, during his visit to Kyiv, heard reports from the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate Kyrylo Budanov and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi. Joint projects on localizing weapons production, sanctions against the Russian energy sector, and the operational situation were discussed.

Political scientist Oleksandr Kochetkov believes that Budanov shows signs of a potential statesman, speaking on topics usually discussed by the president or the head of the Presidential Office.

Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War predict that Russia will not be able to capture the entire Donetsk region by the end of 2025. This confirms the statement by the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Kyrylo Budanov, about the unrealistic nature of such Kremlin plans.

The head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, Kyrylo Budanov, stated that North Korea supplies Russia with up to 40% of ammunition for the war in Ukraine. Pyongyang also sends ballistic missiles and artillery systems, receiving money and technology from Russia.

The head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Kyrylo Budanov, stated that a truce in Ukraine could be reached long before the end of the year, and a ceasefire – in the coming months. This requires the participation of Ukraine, Russia, and the USA.

The head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, Kyrylo Budanov, stated that Russian troops have intensified their offensive, trying to break through the defense in the direction of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. According to him, the Russians intend to enter the oblast 10 km deep to create a buffer zone.

A survey by the sociological group "Rating" showed that, besides President Zelenskyy, Zaluzhnyi and Budanov enjoy the greatest trust among Ukrainians. Trust in Zaluzhnyi is 73%, in Zelenskyy – 67%, and in Budanov – 56%.

President Zelenskyy heard a report from HUR head Budanov regarding Russia's vulnerabilities and the prisoner exchange process. The implementation of agreements from the second meeting in Turkey for the release of Ukrainians was discussed.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed Roman Marchuk as Deputy Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine. The corresponding decree was published on the website of the head of state.

The Head of the President's Office, Andriy Yermak, attempted to dismiss Kyrylo Budanov from his position as head of the HUR, which was the ninth attempt. He may also have been behind the promotion of a corruption case against Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov and the probable appointment of Yulia Svyrydenko as Prime Minister, according to The Economist.

On July 4, a large-scale exchange of prisoners of war took place between Ukraine and Russia. Among those released are defenders of Mariupol, seriously ill and wounded, including medics.

On July 4, Ukraine conducted a prisoner exchange, bringing back military personnel, including those from Mariupol, and civilians, most of whom had been in captivity since 2022. Among those released are seriously wounded, seriously ill, and those under 25 years old.

Russian occupiers launched experimental naval drones in the direction of the city of Pivdenne, Odesa region, but they detonated without reaching the territorial waters of Ukraine. The head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, Kyrylo Budanov, confirmed that the raid yielded no results.

In May, Ukraine returned to the Russian Federation citizens evacuated from the Kursk region. This happened as part of the return of civilians, without an exchange, as reported by Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets.

Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate Kyrylo Budanov reported that Dnipro is threatened only by missile and drone attacks, rejecting the possibility of daily use of 400-500 Shahed drones. Currently, the village of Dachne remains under the control of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Russia helped North Korea establish the production of combat drones of the 'Shahed' type and is training their pilots. Russian instructors are working in Pyongyang and Wonsan, training operators of FPV and other strike UAVs.

Since the beginning of July 1, 112 combat engagements have been recorded on the front. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported numerous air strikes and shelling, as well as significant enemy losses in the Pokrovsk direction.

Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov reported an expected significant increase in North Korean citizens in the Russian Federation who will sign contracts as volunteers. This contingent could number 12,000 people, which will change the perception of the DPRK's participation in the war.

Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, stated that Russia does not depend on supplies from Iran, receiving mostly gunpowder. Russian production of kamikaze drones has already been established domestically.

Kyrylo Budanov reported on the appearance of Russian "Pantsir-S1" in Pyongyang and Russia's transfer of 'Shahed' production technologies to North Korea, which complicates the security situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, announced that large-scale exchanges of prisoners of war with the Russian Federation are continuing, expressing hope for their continuation. Exchanges of bodies of fallen servicemen are not expected at the moment.

The head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Kyrylo Budanov, stated that the escalation at the front continues and will not change until the end of peace talks. He noted that Russian statements about "wherever a Russian soldier's foot treads, it is Russian" are a clear signal to defend Ukraine, otherwise the Russian TCQ (Territorial Center of Conscription) will come.

A representative of the GUR stated that the negotiation process with Russia regarding the exchange of prisoners of war continues and does not stop. Ukraine is ready to conduct as many stages as necessary to bring back all seriously ill, wounded, and young defenders.

Ukrainian servicemen released from Russian captivity burned the prison clothes they were given. Among those returned are fighters under 25 years old, seriously ill and seriously wounded, including defenders of Mariupol and National Guardsmen from the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant.

The head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Kyrylo Budanov, announced a successful prisoner exchange, within which young, seriously ill, and wounded defenders were returned. He announced new good news regarding exchanges in the near future.

Mi helicopters form the basis of Ukraine's army aviation, performing critical combat, logistics and rescue missions in wartime, including the evacuation of the wounded from Mariupol. The effectiveness of their use, despite their age and the complexity of modernization, depends on well-thought-out logistics, repair and crew training.

The SBU prevented an assassination attempt on sniper Denys Yermak, brother of the head of the President's Office. The assassination was planned to be carried out by detonating an explosive device weighing 2.5 kg, made by an executor from Kharkiv.

The SBU uncovered two assassination attempts on President Zelenskyy. One of them, organized by UDO and FSB colonels, was planned in the Office of the President; the other, with a Polish pensioner, at Rzeszów Airport.

During the day, 69 combat engagements took place on the front, of which 30 attacks were carried out in the Toretsk and Pokrovsk directions. Ukrainian soldiers are repelling enemy attacks, while Russian troops are trying to advance in Donetsk and Kharkiv regions.

Ukraine is planning targeted strikes in response to Russia's aggression, noting the "intellectual regression" of the occupiers' leadership. Sanctions are inflicting "tangible damage" on the Russian economy, confirming the correctness of the chosen course of pressure.