'Putin's assassins poisoned my wife'

He is a decorated war hero, the survivor of numerous assassination attempts and the head of Ukraine’s defence intelligence service. Few men have given more blood, sweat and tears towards Ukraine’s war effort against Russia than Lieutenant General Kyryolo Budanov.

While some men of his age – he recently entered his 40th year – have been fighting Russians for three years since the all-out invasion of February 24, 2022, General Budanov has been at the forefront of the war effort for over a decade.

This is because, after Russia’s illegal incursions into Crimea and other areas of eastern Ukraine in 2014, he took part in several daring operations behind enemy lines in the Donbas, being wounded several times. At that point, he was a member of the elite “Unit 2245” of the Ukrainian Main Intelligence Directorate, which is believed to have been trained by America’s CIA (Central Intelligence Agency).

General Budanov’s hatred of Russian aggression against his beloved country is all-the-more personal given Vladimir Putin’s agents poisoned his wife, Marianna, at the end of 2023, requiring her to receive hospital treatment. It has never emerged publicly how this was done other than “heavy metals” were used to harm her.

In an exclusive interview at a secret location they call “The Island” in Ukrainian capital Kyiv, General Budanov tells me: “It was a brutal attempt [on her life]. My wife has had a long recovery and several complications following that, even recently. But God was with us and we will be all right.”

Now, as Marianna continues her recovery, General Budanov’s energies are concentrated on the war effort. Ukraine has endured yet another deeply challenging week as it marked the third anniversary of the all-out invasion by Russia.

As if the gradual losses of territory on the battlefield were not enough, US President Donald Trump caused widespread concern last week among Ukrainian politicians, the military and civilians with his personal attack on President Volodymyr Zelensky whom he called “a dictator”. That followed America’s decision to hold peace talks with Russia that did not involve any representative from Ukraine.

General Budanov, who has a reputation as a straight talker, made it clear that, speaking personally, he found such a move from the US to be “truly unpleasant”. To add insult to injury, President Trump had also said that Ukraine “should have never started” the war, prompting global criticism of his comments.

The President partly withdrew those remarks at the weekend acknowledging Ukraine had been invaded on the orders of President Putin.

General Budanov, who last year became the recipient of Ukraine’s premier bravery award, “Hero of Ukraine” – likened to Britain and the Commonwealth’s Victoria Cross – gave me his assessment of the war.

“The situation on the Ukrainian battlefield is difficult but under control,” he said. “The Russians are advancing, and they have a tactical advantage, but certainly not a strategic one.”

When it comes to newly emerging methods of war, particularly aerial and sea drone warfare, General Budanov believes Ukraine maintains an edge. “In terms of drone technology, both in quality and quantity, we are ahead,” he said. “But Russia was always ahead of the rest of the world in electronic warfare, and they still are”.

Western innovative technology could help level the playing field, but he is cautious that one or two systems will not make a difference. “The Russians have deeply integrated, multi-layered tools of electronic warfare that range from tactical to strategic depths, even systems that can block the satellite communications over 5,000 kilometres [3,125 miles]”.

Asked about recent Ukrainian operations on Russia soil, notably into Kursk, he remained measured. “That question is best addressed to the Armed Forces”, he says. “But I think the initial objectives of the operation were achieved.”

Russia’s war machine is still running, but General Budanov believes it is straining under pressure. “Their military production peaked last year,” he reveals. “They are now focusing on increasing their capabilities in aerial glide bombs and drone arsenal but they can’t do it without external support”.

That support, he says, is coming primarily from North Korea. “It is safe to say that North Korea supplies about half of Russia’s total arsenal today”, he states.

He believes Russia’s current build-up is purely focused on sustaining the war with Ukraine. “Both Ukraine and Russia have by now exhausted all the Soviet-era stockpiles we had,” he adds.

And what about Russia’s economic future? General Budanov has a stark prediction: in the middle of this year, their economy will collapse. “They are already feeling the burden of it. The country spending over 40% of their budget on military expenditure cannot sustain its functioning. By summer, the situation will reach its peak,” he said.

There are growing reports suggesting that for Ukraine to return to its pre-2014 borders is impossible. “That may be someone’s personal opinion,” he told me. “But Ukraine will continue to stand by the principle of fully restoring its territorial integrity.”

For most politicians and military leaders alike, their biggest wish is that Russia publicly acknowledges Ukraine’s right to state sovereignty as the first step to ending the war. Any peace deal must then be supported by cast-iron “security guarantees” if, as seems increasingly likely, Ukraine is not granted NATO membership in the near future.

As for these “security guarantees”, General Budanov drew an analogy with Taiwan. “Taiwan’s security stems from its self-sufficiency,” he tells me.

Then in a reference to Sir Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of Britain during World War Two and whom he hugely admires, the General says: “Churchill once said that Britain’s security relied on its army and navy. Ukraine must find its own guarantees”.

The Americans’ meeting with the Russian delegation in Riyadh last week – without the representatives of Ukraine – was just the first stage of the peace process. “Negotiations continue, and by definition they must include both sides of the conflict,” the General continues. “You can’t achieve anything by only speaking to one [side]”.

General Budanov is equally wary of proposals for peacekeeping troops in Ukraine. “There has never been an example in history where this has worked,” he says. “Perhaps, Ukraine will be the first one, but I doubt it”.

General Budanov continues to enjoy his reputation as someone who is a constant thorn in Russia’s side. After Russia issued an arrest warrant against him in relation to the 2022 attack on the Kerch Bridge in Crimea, he considered it to be a badge of honour. His defiant reaction was “I am pleased. This is a good indicator of our work, and I promise to work even better.”

Despite the immense challenges he and his country face, General Budanov remains steadfast and committed to his country’s fight. “I am a military guy. This is my natural habitat,” he says.

And what would he say to Putin, if given the chance?

He laughs: “You want me to deliver a message via the British audience? In the minds of Russians, Great Britain is already their biggest adversary. Maybe [your country is] not the best delivery system for that message!”

However, he and most Ukrainians remain grateful for British support, particularly at a time when US aid in future, under its new President, is far from guaranteed.

His message to Britain is a simple one, “Please keep standing with Ukraine, as this is the time when we may need your support the most. Stand by the values that both our nations hold, values worth making sacrifices for.”

* Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC is an international businessman, philanthropist, author and pollster. For more information on his work, visit lordashcroft.com. Follow him on X/Facebook @LordAshcroft