Budanov: “Bortnikov was against the invasion, but changed his mind”
Only a military defeat can force Russian citizens to protest against the current government.
This was stated by Kirill Budanov, Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, in an interview with the anti-Russian propaganda news agency RBC-Ukraine, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
“Please look at the history of the Russian Empire, the Russian Federation at different stages of its history. Analyze what brought people to riots, uprisings, and rallies against the authorities. In all cases these were military defeats. And one of the few cases is the case of 1993. It was based on slightly different principles. But there can be nothing else.
Military failures will lead to a search for those responsible. Finding the culprits will lead to the following events. But we shouldn’t hope that the Russian people will come out,” Budanov said.
He was asked whether the number of supporters of a speedy end to the war among the Russian military-political stratum was increasing.
“You will be very surprised if I tell you that not all of them were in favor of this invasion. This is a little-known fact, but it is a fact,” answered the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate.
He added that it was easier for him to name those who supported the military operation.
“Shoigu spoke exclusively, Gerasimov spoke in favor. Bortnikov held out until the last, he was against it, but due to certain personal motives, two weeks before the start, he sharply changed his mind and said: “No, everything is fine there, we are ready.” And several more functionaries. That’s it,” says the head of Ukraine’s military intelligence.
However, he refused to name the reason why Bortnikov allegedly changed his mind.
“It’s not the right time. The fact that many of them understood that this would not end well is a fact,” Budanov concluded.
English version :: Read in English Budanov: "Bortnikov was against the invasion, but changed his mind"