Russia wants to end war in Ukraine by 2026 - Ukraine's intel chief
Photo: head of the State Government of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Russia aims to end the war with a victory by 2026. Starting in the summer of 2025, it will face serious economic problems and may require mobilization, states Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Main Intelligence Directorate.
"2025 will be a critical year for them, with the period from late 2025 to early 2026 being especially pivotal. They want to end everything by then because, according to their own calculations, if Russia does not emerge from this war as a victor, it will lose its status as a great power for the foreseeable future — essentially, for up to 30 years," Budanov said.
According to him, Russia predicts that "all their problems will start in the summer of 2025," as both financial-economic and socio-political factors will converge.
"But this is not yet the peak. They forecast that around the summer of 2025, the negative impact on their economy will become very pronounced. This is related to numerous processes they are currently trying to accelerate within their state to emerge from this period as favorably as possible. Unfortunately, they would like to conclude with a victory," Budanov added.
Furthermore, Budanov noted that the issue of military shortfalls is becoming increasingly urgent in Russia.
"During this period (summer 2025), they will face a dilemma — either declare mobilization or find a way to reduce the intensity of combat operations, which could ultimately be critical for them," Budanov stated.
War in Ukraine
At the end of 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that even commanders do not know if the war with Russia will end in 2024.
In July 2024, Zelenskyy mentioned that the active phase of the war in Ukraine could end this year.
By late August, the President did not rule out that the war with Russia might conclude through dialogue, but emphasized that Kyiv needs to be in a strong position.
