Ukrainian intelligence chief threatens to “increase” attacks on Russian soil

Europe 1 with AFP 10:51 a.m., February 1, 2024, modified at 10:51 a.m., February 1, 2024

The head of Ukrainian military intelligence (GUR), Kyrylo Budanov, threatened Thursday to "multiply" attacks targeting infrastructure on Russian soil, deeming it "useful" that the Russians "finally see the reality of the war". "The number of attacks on Russian infrastructure will probably increase. (...) I think this plan could include all of Russia's main critical and military infrastructures," Kyrylo Boudanov said on Telegram. In recent months, kyiv has increased strikes against Russian oil and gas installations, following attacks by Moscow against its energy infrastructure.

A strategy assumed by kyiv

Ukraine has already claimed responsibility for several drone attacks on facilities in the Leningrad region, around St. Petersburg, in January. During the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, the GUR notably attacked, with a drone, a refinery in Saint Petersburg, the second largest Russian city located 1,000 km from the Ukrainian border. “The Russian civilian population finally sees the reality of the war. They see oil depots on fire, factory and manufacturing buildings destroyed (...) All this is useful,” justified Kyrylo Boudanov in a written message relaying an interview on American television CNN.

This strategy assumed by Kiev should allow it to free itself from the pressure of the Russian army, at the initiative in the Donbass (eastern Ukraine), in order to push it to move away part of its arsenal and its men. from the forehead. Ukraine has also set itself another objective for 2024: to drive the Russians out of its skies, even though it does not yet have the planes that its Western allies promised it in 2023.

Military aid blocked

Kyrylo Boudanov also estimated that the American A-10 attack planes would help “inflict a military defeat” on Russia. “The A-10 attack planes could significantly strengthen Ukraine's capabilities on the front line (...) They can indeed contribute to inflicting a military defeat on Russia,” he said on Telegram, in reference to these ground target attack devices with a formidable reputation. The United States is kyiv's main military and financial backer, but the latest aid package is still blocked in Congress due to disagreements between Democrats and Republicans.

Other important supporters of Ukraine, the Twenty-Seven meet Thursday in Brussels to try to authorize aid of 50 billion euros for Kiev, despite the current veto of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Vladimir Putin's closest ally within the European Union.