Ukraine's spy chief Budanov reveals details of Pokrovsk special operation

Kyrylo Budanov shared these details in an interview with Channel 24.

According to him, the decision for such a risky helicopter landing was made when the situation around Pokrovsk had become critically difficult. Russia had already publicly announced it had "taken the city," and the Chief of the Russian General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, had reported its supposed complete control to Putin.

Budanov stressed that in that situation, there was simply no other option, as "nothing else would have worked. We managed to buy precious time, allowing the main units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to reach the city and provide reinforcements."

It was immediately after this operation that Russia's rhetoric shifted: instead of claiming to have "captured Pokrovsk," Russian propaganda began to speak only of ongoing battles and "partial successes."

The head of the Main Intelligence Directorate highlights that Pokrovsk holds significant propaganda and military-political importance for Russia.

"It's a key element of their propaganda and a key element in the military domain," he said. "It will be a great victory for them if it happens."

However, Budanov noted that in diplomatic terms, a potential Russian success could have the opposite effect by strengthening international support for Ukraine.

• On November 15, following a meeting with leaders of the defense and security sector, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that the Russian forces had failed to capture Pokrovsk and Kupiansk according to Putin's "schedule."