Drones and minefields. Ukraine and Russia locked in a stalemate

"Due to extensive usage of combat drones by both contenders, neither we nor Russia are currently capable of initiating offensive operations," stated Budanow.

Furthermore, Budanow noted the dense minefields, which haven't been seen since World War II, as another factor impeding offensive operations.

Budanow also pointed out the inadequacy of resources within the Ukrainian arms industry, which fails to produce sufficient amounts of specialized equipment, such as electronic warfare systems, to counter drones and devices for clearing minefields. However, he praised Russia's ability to adapt its economy to war demands.

"The Kremlin sought to portray last year as victorious"

"It's widely believed that Russia possesses a strong army, but its economic condition is considered poor. But it's quite the opposite; their army is weak, and while their economy might be weak as well, the nation is far from starving and can sustain this state for an extended period," the head of Ukrainian military intelligence emphasized.

According to the general, the Western sanctions against Russia need a strategic shift. It should target sectors that have not been too affected by the sanctions, namely energy, metallurgy, and the nation's financial system.

Budanow highlighted an unusually high intensity of Russian shelling in Ukraine observed in late 2023 and early 2024 to be due to a "simple reason". The Kremlin, finding itself without notable victories on the front, was desperate to declare the previous year "successful". Hence, it sought to gain some semblance of "success" during the final days of December.

Moscow perceives its invasion of Ukraine as a conflict with the entire Western world, suggested by the narratives pushed by Russian propaganda, characterizing the invasion as a clash with NATO. According to Budanow, such narratives could indicate the Kremlin's future intentions.

"Every day, I read Russian classified reports disseminated through various channels. Each report mentions 'strikes on NATO bases,' specifying false numbers of different nationalities. They know these details are false, yet they continue to spread such misinformation," the "Le Monde" interviewee shared.

"Moreover, Russian prisoners of war expressed their surprise at not encountering a single NATO soldier in Ukraine. They thought they were here to fight NATO and considered Ukraine just the first stage," Budanow added.

The head of Ukrainian military intelligence urged Western allies to take the threat from the Kremlin seriously and understand that Ukraine's battle is not solely about its security but concerns the safety of the entirety of Europe.

"Those overseas who believe they're tired of Ukraine will have to face their fears of Russia when the invaders arrive on their territory," warned the military officer.