Ukraine’s three biggest victories and defeats in the war, according to Budanov

Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine’s Intelligence Directorate Chief, told this in an interview with Forbes Ukraine.

"Repelling the enemy from the Kyiv direction, actions in the Kharkiv direction and regaining control over Kherson – these were our greatest victories," said Budanov.

On the other hand, the occupation of Crimea and parts of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions in 2014, Russian breakthrough in the Volnovakha direction at the early stage of war, and the loss of Sievierodonetsk after the full-scale invasion were the worst Ukrainian defeats.

"This is subjective. The first biggest failure is the temporary defeat in the Sievierodonetsk area. The second is the early war period, when Russians advanced in the Volnovakha area. And the third – generally speaking – is that we allowed occupation in Crimea and the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in 2014. These are our three biggest failures, but they have all been amended," Budanov said.

• On January 31, Kyrylo Budanov stated that the Armed Forces of Ukraine can return Russia-occupied Crimea by the summer of this year.