An interview with the head of Ukraine’s defence intelligence

THE HEAD of Ukraine’s defence intelligence agency, the HUR, is in no mood to debate his country’s ongoing counter-offensive. “Facts, not discussion” are what motivates Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov. The slow pace of advance against a dug-in and well-prepared enemy is simply a reflection of reality. He does not understand those who predicted a quick collapse of the Russian lines. “Is a pencil strong or weak? It depends how you look at it.” The counter-offensive is ongoing. Ukraine still has time. There is more than a month before the muddy season sets in. “And that’s a fact.”