The head of the defense intelligence agency of Ukraine told Military Times that Russia has more than 92,000 troops around the borders of Ukraine and is preparing for an attack by the end of January or beginning of February.
In an exclusive interview with the Military Times Saturday morning, the commander of the Ukrainian army said that an attack would likely involve airstrikes, armor attacks, and airborne assaults in the east, as well as amphibious assaults in Mariupul and Odessa.
He said that the large-scale Zapad 21 military exercise proved that they can drop up to 3,500 airborne and special operations troops at once.
Budanov said that the attack Russia is preparing would be more devastating than anything seen before the conflict began.
The country is ringed by Russian tactical battalion groups according to the assessment of the Ukraine military. The picture is from the Ukrainian military.
The Defense Minister of Ukraine, Oleksii Reznikov, told the Washington Post on Friday that it was unclear if Putin had decided to attack.
Budanov told Military Times that Russia is increasing troop levels and weapons systems in occupied Crimea and staging systems like Iskandar near the border. He didn't like the idea that the brutal weather would deter the Russians from attacking.
Budanov said that fighting in the cold is not a problem for the two countries.
Budanov said that any such attack would be preceded by a series of psychological operations designed to undermine the ability of the Ukrainian army to fight.
He said that they want to show the people that they are against the government.
Budanov said that Russia is trying to stoke unrest related to the economy and energy supplies by organizing anti-COVID-19 vaccination protests.
Budanov said that Russia is trying to whip up anti-government sentiment over an incident dubbed "Wagnergate", a controversy involving about 30 members of the Russian private military group responsible for attacks inside Ukraine. Budanov said that the members of the group were sent to Russia with the help of the Belarus KGB because they were supposed to be brought back to Ukraine.
Budanov said that Russian psychological operations were being used to show their betrayal of the people.
He said that the ongoing border conflict between Poland and Belarus is part of the effort to send refugees into Europe.
Budanov said that they want to make the situation inside the country more dangerous and make a situation where we have to change the government. Military troops will do their job if they can't do that.
Budanov said that the timing of a Russian attack is similar to that of the U.S. and Ukraine.
He said that their evaluations were almost the same as American colleagues.
The top Ukrainian official says that Russian troop movements show that conflict is possible.
The Russian embassy did not reply to the request for comment. The Pentagon did not comment on Budanov's assessments about the timing and nature of any potential Russian attack, instead pointing to comments made by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Wednesday and Thursday.
Austin told reporters that the U.S. still sees troubling behavior from Russia.
He said they were not sure what Mr. Putin was up to. These movements have our attention. I would like to see Russia be more transparent about what they are doing to live up to the agreements.
Our support for territorial integrity of Ukraine is steadfast.
Austin said the U.S. will continue to advance its priority to counter Russian aggression and to deepen its cooperation in such areas as Black Sea security, cyber defense and intelligence sharing.
The head of that nation's defense intelligence agency is from Ukraine. The Ministry of Defense of the Ukraine.
Budanov said that the U.S. would help deter any Russian incursion by providing additional military aid, diplomatic and economic pressure, and the seizure and blocking of Russian banking accounts.
The U.S. has already promised and delivered Mark VI patrol boats, Javelin anti-armor systems, and AN/TPQ 53 light counter-fire radar systems, as well as additional air, missile and drone defense systems and electronic jamming devices. The Ukrainians wish for missile batteries, counter rocket, artillery and mortar systems.
Military Times has previously reported that the Ukrainian military used the systems to great effect. Budanov said that the Javenlin systems have been used against Russian forces. Budanov said that the psychological deterrent value of those, along with Turkish-manufactured drones, made Russians think twice about attacking.
He said that Ukraine needs more help from America.
He said that current and promised U.S. aid to Ukraine isn't enough. We need more. No countries have had a war with Russia. We have for seven years. We think the U.S should give us everything we didn't get before. And right now. It is the right time for this. It could be very late.
