The full-scale invasion was a serious shock to the entire state system of Ukraine, including the special services. How Ukrainian intelligence officers have changed – read on.
The head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, Kirill Budanov, spoke in an interview about how the war affected the Ukrainian special services. p> He emphasized that the loss of brothers and colleagues, of course, is always painful. “But we are ready for this, we were taught how to prepare for this. This is our job, our duty. At the same time, it is even more resolutely monitoring the results of the work of those who are no longer there,” Budanov said.
The head of the GUR was asked how he copes with stress. He rather briefly answered the questions and remembered the gift of his friends for his birthday. They gave him a table hockey game.
I laughed and gave it to the officer commissar. Others will like it better,” said the head of intelligence.
How the Ukrainian special services have changed after February 24
Budanov said that he could make GUR even better. “I could talk for a long time about different models or templates, but I will answer this way: there are no limits to upgrades, there is no ceiling. It must be understood that a full-scale invasion was a serious shock to the entire state system of Ukraine, including the special services,” he said.
According to him, no patterns and structures appear until February 24, 2022. The dynamics of individual processes is completely different.
And when it comes to intelligence models from which we could draw… We can recall the wonderful special operations of the world's special services. But before our eyes, the special services are becoming a living legend today. Our intelligence rejoices at the lessons, – said Budanov.
The head of the GUR also spoke about whether he faced resistance from senior personnel, unwillingness to introduce changes.
“From a psychological point of view, this is normal. Every team and new boss always discovers each other, so to speak, it's a two-way process. But one of my first bosses taught me that you need to work with people who are. And not change, change, replace, guided by the emotions of “like” don't like it,” Budanov added.
