Budanov's announcement of counteroffensive is one of tools for Russian forces' collapse - Defense Express expert Kyrychevskyi

Defense Express expert Ivan Kyrychevskyi said this on Espreso TV

“Judging even by the case in Makiivka, where 400 soldiers were destroyed at the same time, what they call "collapse under their own weight" is happening with the Russian Federation grouping. They are not capable of offensive actions. Budanov's statement to the Western media is one of the tools of influence in order to accelerate the collapse of the Russian grouping,” he believes.

According to Kyrychevskyi, the Armed Forces of Ukraine can afford to conduct full-scale offensive actions in one or two directions, but not along the entire frontline.

“But if a statement was made about the entire frontline, the Russians will be forced to chaotically transfer units, which will not contribute to the strength of the troops. The element of timely statements of the military-political leadership in order to speed up certain events should not be overlooked,” the expert concluded.

• Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine's Ministry of Defense, said that the final liberation of the Ukrainian territories occupied by the Russian forces will begin in March 2023