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Budanov reveals how Russian Volunteer raids benefit Ukrainian Military
Head of Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate, Kyrylo Budanov, says that Russian volunteer raids greatly benefit the Ukrainian Armed Forces by stretching Russian troop formations and diverting their attention
Budanov said this on the United News telethon.
"When the situation changes more on the frontline, it will be easier for them to move on and achieve their goal," he said.
According to him, once Russian forces start retreating from the frontlines, Russian volunteer units will "do their job".
"As of now, it is very beneficial for us that they were able to stretch the group, divert the forces at the front to defend their (Russian - ed.) border," Budanov explained.
He also believes that Russian volunteer units will not be able to reach Moscow with weapons.
Raids by Ukraine-based Russian military volunteers
On the morning of March 12, members of the Freedom of Russia Legion from the Russian-Ukrainian border announced that they were going to liberate Russia from dictator Vladimir Putin. Soldiers of the Siberian Battalion reported fierce fighting on Russian territory, and the Freedom of Russia claimed to have taken control of the village of Tetkino, Kursk region.
Oleksiy Hetman, a reserve major of the National Guard of Ukraine and a veteran of the Russian-Ukrainian war, believes that the raid by the Freedom of Russia Legion is a challenge to Putin and his entourage. In his opinion, if at least one battalion of the Russian Federation goes over to the side of the Russians fighting against Putin, a chain reaction could start throughout the army.
On March 13, Russian volunteers continued their raid on Russian territory, calling on residents of the Kursk and Belgorod regions to evacuate.
Later, Alexei Baranovsky said that in the Kursk region, fighting was already taking place outside the village of Tetkino.
Yevhen Dykyi, a former platoon commander of the Aidar battalion, believes that Russians may move combat-ready units from the Kupyansk direction to the Kursk region.
On the morning of March 14, the Russian Defense Ministry accused Ukraine of allegedly attacking two regions with 14 drones. Later, Belgorod reported a second attack.
On March 14, a volunteer of the Freedom of Russia Legion, Alexei Baranovsky, said that the Russian army had moved reserves to Belgorod and Kursk regions and was actively trying to displace Russian volunteer units. The Freedom of Russia Legion warned the locals about the beginning of active attacks.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of trying to disrupt 'elections' in Russia and promised retaliation.
The Legion Freedom of Russia, the Russian Volunteer Corps and the Siberian Battalion once again called for the urgent evacuation of residents of the Belgorod and Kursk regions.
The Russian Volunteer Corps denied fake information about the alleged destruction of the group. The RVC also captured more than two dozen Russian soldiers.
On March 16, Belgorod Region Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov announced that shopping centers, educational institutions, and kindergartens would be closed in Belgorod and the region in the coming days.
- News
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