2022-10-29T18:27:00+03:00 Politics 2023-11-15T04:52:44+02:00

Ukrainian news

Ukrainian news

Defense Intelligence Head Budanov Does Not Rule Out That Operation To Liberate Kherson May Last Until End Of N

Defense Intelligence Head Budanov Does Not Rule Out That Operation To Liberate Kherson May Last Until End Of Next Month

The most prepared and combat-ready Russian units are located in Kherson. General Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, stated this in an interview with The Drive publication.

According to the head of Ukrainian military intelligence, the operation to liberate Kherson may last until the end of next month.

According to him, a large part of the Russian forces located in the temporarily occupied territory of the Kherson Region are airborne troops, special forces and marines.

Budanov notes that these are the most combat-capable units in the Russian Federation. They form the backbone of the group, which is also strengthened by those mobilized.

"The combat component, i.e. units that can pose any danger to us, is approximately 40,000," he said, adding that Kherson is in the middle of this grouping.

"These are troops in Kherson, in the areas of the western bank of the Dnieper, as well as troops stationed on the eastern bank," Budanov said.

In his opinion, most likely, the operation to liberate Kherson will last until the end of next month.

"We are trying to mitigate the situation as much as possible, but we will not do without a fight," the head of intelligence added.

According to him, the occupiers are trying to prevent the advance of the Ukrainian defenders, the fighting continues every day.

He also spoke about the plans of the Russian Federation to blow up the Kakhovska HPP.

"According to our assessment, if such a decision is made, they will blow up only the road that passes through the dam to make it impossible for our equipment to pass, as well as the locks of the dam, which will lead to only partial destruction of the facility," General Budanov said.

He also told whether the undermining of the Kakhovska HPP will prevent the return of Kherson.

"No. This can happen when we take Kherson and if they decide to retreat. After withdrawing from the western bank, they can do this to prevent our advance to the eastern bank," Budanov explained.