Ukraine’s military intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, has said that a truce should be concluded as soon as possible, involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States. He also said that up to 40% of Russia’s ammunition is supplied by North Korea.
Kirill Budanov said this in an interview with Bloomberg.
According to the chief of the GUR, Kim Jong-un’s regime also sends Russia other types of weapons, including ballistic missiles and artillery systems. In return, Moscow provides Pyongyang with money and technology, helping it to break out of international isolation.
According to Ukrainian intelligence, 60% of the losses in military intelligence units over the past three months were caused by North Korean artillery strikes. Russia has intensified military ties with North Korea following the signing of a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement between Putin and Kim last June, during the Russian leader’s first visit to Pyongyang in 24 years. Western intelligence estimates that North Korea has sent millions of artillery shells to the Russian army.
Budanov also emphasized that the truce should be concluded as soon as possible – before the end of this year.
“It is realistic. It is not difficult. It requires at least three parties – Ukraine, Russia and the United States. And we will come to this position,” he said.
According to Budanov, US support will continue in the near future, and Washington may provide Ukraine with additional air defense systems.
“His position is consistent, you shouldn’t judge him by his media characteristics,” Budanov said of US President Donald Trump.
He added that Ukraine is highly dependent on the United States for early warning of missile launches and access to satellite imagery.
“I don’t see any signs that our security cooperation will stop,” the DIU chief said.
Budanov also called on the allies to restore agent intelligence – networks of spies – which he said almost all European countries have “buried.”
“Stop believing that technical intelligence will solve everything. No one is discussing or planning a cell phone operation,” he emphasized.