Ukraine to face ‘difficult times’ in near future - Ukraine’s military intel chief Budanov

Ukraine is facing a “pretty difficult” time in the near future, Ukraine’s Military Intelligence (HUR) chief, Kyrylo Budanov, told the BBC.

"A rather difficult situation is expected in the near future,” he said.

“It is not catastrophic, this must also be understood. Armageddon will not happen, as many are now beginning to say, but we will face challenges from mid-May."

This includes the situation on the frontlines.

"This is an integrated approach, as the Russians will also use an integrated approach," he said.

"They conduct a complex operation. We will not discuss it in detail with you, but it will be a difficult period."

Ukrainian soliders are not the only ones looking at hard times come mid-May to early June, said Budanov.

“Challenges will be faced in all areas,” he said when asked whether the domestic political situation will also face turbulence.

Read also: Military expert on Russia’s potential summer offensive in Ukraine

Russia’s new summer offensive

Russia’s troops are likely to continue offensive operations until spring 2024 and prepare for a summer offensive, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said on March 23.

Russia is creating a new armed force consisting of more than 100,000 people, which means that a summer offensive can not be ruled out, Ukraine's Ground Forces commander, Oleksandr Pavlyuk, said on March 22.

Russia may start a new major offensive from the beginning of summer, and Ukraine’s ability to withstand it this time appears “much less certain,”  The Economist claimed on March 28.

Ukrainian troops lack ammunition and Ukraine is beginning to prepare brigades for important actions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with CBS.

Russia will launch its offensive at the end of May or in June, he said.

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