In case of occupation of Ukraine, next victim of russian aggression will probably be Poland – Budanov

The head of the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, believes that if russia seizes Ukraine, the next target of the aggressor country will be Poland.

He stated this during a special YES meeting "Three Years - Time to Win" in Kyiv on February 24, the Ukrainian News agency reports.

Budanov noted that russia considers itself an empire, not a federation.

According to the intelligence officer, the russian federation aims to restore an empire similar to the Soviet Union, but with the countries of the former Warsaw Pact as part of it.

"If the worst-case scenario happens and the three countries (Russia, Belarus, Ukraine) unite into one, while it is almost impossible, Poland will be next. I'm telling you this directly. And you don't need to be afraid of it, you need to be aware of it. Next will be the Czech Republic, Hungary, Bulgaria. Each one will go backwards. The Warsaw Bloc countries are, as they say, the minimum task if an empire is being formed. And then it will be as it will, sorry," Budanov noted.

According to him, now russia, having not achieved its goal in the war with Ukraine, is seeking a pause to restore strength, work on mistakes and continue the implementation of its strategic goal.

A year ago, in March 2024, Polish President Andrzej Duda said that russia was going to attack NATO in 2026-2027.

According to him, there is evidence that it is for this reason that russian dictator vladimir putin is doubling the pace of russia's transition to a military economy.

As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, Budanov said that he had seen the russian federation's strategic plan until 2045.

According to him, russian strategic planning provides for an exit from the war in Ukraine by 2026.

European countries fear that the United States of America may withdraw from the international program to prosecute the aggressor country russia for war crimes against Ukraine.

Polish President Andrzej Duda said that the aggressor country russia is going to attack NATO in 2026-2027. According to him, there is evidence that for this very reason, russian dictator vladimir putin is doubling the pace of russia's transition to a military economy.