Head of intel reacts to Russia's use of Ukrainian Tu-160s
Chief of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov (Photo: RBC-Ukraine, Vitalii Nosach)
Russia is deploying missiles and fighter jets handed over by Ukraine in the 1990s to conduct attacks on Ukrainian cities. The nation is paying an exceptionally high price in its fight for freedom, Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate, reports.
The head of Ukrainian intelligence responded to reports that Russia is using Tu-160 bombers obtained from Ukraine 25 years ago. According to Budanov, such outcomes stem from a lack of strategic vision.
"Corruption, incompetence, and a lack of strategic vision lead to anti-state decisions. As a country and a nation paying an extraordinarily high price in the fight for our freedom, we cannot afford to repeat such mistakes and crimes," Budanov wrote.
Budanov emphasized the importance of journalistic investigations into Russia’s use of Ukrainian aircraft, particularly those transferred by Ukraine in the 1990s, as part of a deal to offset debts for Russian gas.
"Defeating the enemy and reliably protecting Ukraine will only be possible when we achieve irreversible change. The interests of the state must become the top priority for everyone," he stressed.
Russia deploys Ukrainian Tu-160 bombers
On the morning of Sunday, November 17, the Russian Federation launched a massive attack on Ukrainian territory, deploying over 200 aerial targets.
It later emerged that Russia had used Tu-160 bombers for the first time in a long period, likely due to issues with its other cruise missile carriers.
Subsequent journalistic investigations revealed that during the assault, the Russian military utilized Ukrainian strategic bombers Tu-160, which had been transferred from Ukraine 25 years ago. These aircraft are now being used to target Ukrainian infrastructure.
