This footage shows Ukrainian intelligence boss Kyrylo Budanov sitting silently behind his desk in what appears to be a bid to urge viewers to be silent about Ukraine’s ongoing counteroffensive.
The Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine released the intriguing footage showing the head of Ukrainian intelligence Budanov, 37, teasing what can be expected next in the Ukrainian counteroffensive against the occupying Russian forces, which is currently underway.
But viewers hoping for hints about what the Ukrainians have planned next will be sorely disappointed as the footage simply shows Budanov looking at the camera while sitting behind his desk and not saying anything.
Not a single word is uttered in the 33-second clip, which appears to fit the adage ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’. Budanov can be seen in military fatigues staring at the camera, his desk apparently covered in paperwork, with Ukraine’s and Japan’s flags seen in the background.
The camera zooms in on his face slowly before cutting to the words “To be continued”, followed by “Plans love silence”.
The images were obtained from the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine on Sunday, 11th June, along with a statement simply saying: “To be continued… Plans love silence — Ministry of Defence of Ukraine”.
The video was also shared by Ukraine’s Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar and appears to be a reiteration of her position.
Maliar has previously said that there would be no announcement regarding the start of Ukraine’s long-expected counter-offensive against Russian invasion forces.
She has also repeatedly asked people to keep “informational silence”.
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 474th day of the full-scale war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 12th June 2023, Russia had lost about 216,180 personnel, 3,931 tanks, 7,636 armoured combat vehicles, 3,746 artillery units, 601 multiple launch rocket systems, 362 air defence systems, 314 warplanes, 299 helicopters, 3,307 drones, 1,183 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 6,471 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 510 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
Ukraine’s Armed Forces have said that they have liberated three villages – Blahodatne, Neskuchne and Makarivka – on the frontlines in western Donetsk.
Three people have been killed and 10 more have been wounded after Russian forces shot at a boat carrying civilians being evacuated from floodwaters towards the city of Kherson.
Hanna Maliar, Ukraine’s Deputy Defence Minister, has said that Russian forces destroyed the Khakhovka dam in a bid to stop Ukrainian forces from launching an offensive in the southern Kherson region.
She added that the destruction of the dam was also geared towards helping Russia redeploy its forces to Zaporizhzhia and Bakhmut.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Russia’s notorious Wagner mercenary organisation, has said that his soldiers will not sign contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defence.
Prigozhin made the announcement hours after Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that volunteer forces would be brought under his control.
Prigozhin said on Sunday: “Wagner will not sign any contracts with Shoigu.” He added that the Minister “cannot properly manage military formations.”
The Russian Ministry of Defence has claimed that it has repelled three Ukrainian attacks in the Zaporizhzhia region.
The Russian MoD also claimed that Ukraine had unsuccessfully tried to attack one of its Black Sea fleet vessels.
