Budanov stated that Russia continues to attempt to assassinate him even during negotiations
Kirill Budanov, head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, stated that Russian intelligence agencies continue to attempt to assassinate him, even amid the negotiation process between Ukraine and Russia.
He said this in an interview with The Times.
According to Budanov, attempts on his life are ongoing, and he considers this to be expected.
“I must trust no one; I must achieve results,” he said.
Budanov noted that at least ten assassination attempts have been made against him, although most of them were not made public.
Among the known incidents are an attempt to blow up his car in 2019, the poisoning of his wife, Marianna Budanova, and intelligence officers in 2023, as well as a plan uncovered in 2024 to attack his motorcade using ballistic missiles and an FPV drone.
Ukraine is ready for dialogue with Russia provided Moscow is genuinely committed to serious talks, but such meetings require careful preparation. Any direct contacts between the leaders of the warring states do not occur spontaneously or via ordinary telephone communication.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that he is ready to hold a summit with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, and the search for an appropriate format is currently underway.
