Budanov spoke about his negotiations with Prigozhin prior to Prigozhin's mutiny
Kirill Budanov, head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, stated that informal contacts with Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner Group, continued practically until the start of his rebellion against the Kremlin in 2023.
According to Budanov, these behind-the-scenes negotiations did not cease even after that.
Dialogue with the Founder of the Wagner Group
As Budanov explained, he maintained regular direct contact with the founder of the Russian mercenary company.
These contacts continued right up until shortly before the “Wagnerites” staged an armed uprising against the Russian leadership.
According to him, such conversations are part of the nature of intelligence work during wartime.
“I am a military intelligence officer. I have dedicated my entire life to dialogue and communication. It’s not difficult for me,” Budanov emphasized.
Other Channels of Communication with Russia
In addition to Prigozhin, Budanov maintained a regular dialogue with Admiral Igor Kostyukov, head of the Russian GRU. They first reached an agreement back in 2022, with Turkey’s assistance, regarding the launch of the Black Sea Grain Corridor.
The parties continue their behind-the-scenes dialogue even now, which allows them to resolve critical humanitarian issues, particularly regarding the return of Ukrainian prisoners of war.
Prigozhin’s Mutiny and Death
In the summer of 2023, Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the Wagner Group, attempted a military coup in Russia.
His units seized several military facilities and marched in a column toward Moscow, but the mutiny was quickly quelled.
A few weeks later, Prigozhin’s private plane exploded in mid-air, killing him and other Wagner leaders.
This was stated by the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Kirill Budanov, citing The New York Times.
Following talks in Geneva, Russia proposed a meeting with Budanov in Moscow.
Stepan Kaplunov, deputy commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps, stated that on August 23, he was allegedly abducted by SBU officers, who subjected him to physical and psychological pressure.
