Ukraine’s military intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, visited forward positions on the Zaporizhzhia axis as part of a working trip to the region, meeting fighters from the so-called “Timur” special unit, the agency said Monday.
While in the combat zone, the head of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (GUR) spoke with officers and soldiers directly involved in locating and destroying Russian forces and their equipment, the agency said in a post on its official Telegram channel.
The directorate said Budanov personally inspected conditions for intelligence personnel on the ground.
It also released video of his arrival at front-line positions, adding that Budanov presented state awards to troops for professionalism, courage and effectiveness in combat tasks. The visit came as a complete surprise to personnel, the agency said, calling it a memorable moment that boosted morale “for new achievements in the armed struggle for Ukraine’s freedom.”
Ukrainian forces say the situation on the Zaporizhzhia front remains difficult.
“Right now all our actions are focused on stabilizing the front line and blocking the enemy,” Major Oleh Shiriaiev of the 225th Regiment told ABC News.
Former Chief of the General Staff and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (2014–2019) Viktor Muzhenko warned of serious risks to the Zaporizhzhia sector if Huliaipole is lost. He said the fall of the city would create a flanking threat to Ukrainian forces near Orikhiv and could open the way for further Russian advances.
Muzhenko also flagged a direct threat to Zaporizhzhia itself, noting the distance from Prymorske -still under Ukrainian control but under pressure from Russia - to Balabyne, a suburb of Zaporizhzhia, is about 11 kilometers. “This situation forms a direct threat to the regional center,” he said.
