BBC's very interesting interview with Budanov:
- There is no reason to believe in Ukraine's strategic defeat. There are problems at the front, but we must also say frankly that these same problems did not appear today, and not a month ago, and not even three months ago. 1/11
- There is no reason to believe in Ukraine's strategic defeat. There are problems at the front, but we must also say frankly that these same problems did not appear today, and not a month ago, and not even three months ago. 1/11
- This is a systemic problem that we are facing. And at the same time, we must remember that Ukraine still exists.
The Russians had a real success at Avdiivka. It must be acknowledged. It's a fact. They were able to do it. 2/11
The Russians had a real success at Avdiivka. It must be acknowledged. It's a fact. They were able to do it. 2/11
It's too early to talk about the successes in other directions.
- Russia has effectively circumvented sanctions, acquiring components for its military production. 3/11
- Russia has effectively circumvented sanctions, acquiring components for its military production. 3/11
- China has neither transferred nor plans to transfer any ready-made weapons. Beijing provided dual-use goods to Russia - parts, microchips and machines. 4/11
- Ukraine will have a challenging time in the near future but not catastrophic. Armageddon will not happen, as many are now beginning to say. However, there will be problems from mid-May - early June. 5/11
- Russia improved the infantry equipment. But the quality of other military equipment fell. Russia uses repaired, restored equipment from warehouses for long-term storage of weapons. 6/11
- The quality of their military personnel also deteriorated. Initially employed troops were real professionals, contract soldiers with adequate combat experience. But during this time there were almost none of them left. Russia essentially fights with mobilized forces. 7/11
- They had a morale boost after capturing Avdiivka. However, their morale has not substantially changed. 8/ 11
The Russian mentality also plays an important role. "Go forward", as they say, and the Russian man goes. He does not particularly think what will happen to him there. But to say that he tries hard is also not true. 9/11
- The Maidan-3 operation is still active and it is progressing. Russia clearly understands that purely pro-Russian forces will not be able to function now. 10/11
Therefore, Russia camouflages it under various kinds of activities, under various issues of social tension. And it will not look (and in their plans, it is clearly described), it should not look like some kind of pro-Russian position. 11/11
Source: bbc.com/ukrainian/arti…
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