Top spy: Russia plans full occupation of Donetsk Oblast in spring 2026, but goal unrealistic

He expressed this opinion in an interview with Channel 24, according to Ukrinform.

“The Russians have set themselves the goal of completely occupying the Donetsk region, and they want to do this, so as not to reveal, as they say, state secrets, in the spring of 2026. This is unrealistic,” Budanov emphasized.

According to him, in the south, Russia is trying to get close to Zaporizhzhia and start artillery and drone terror to force the military command to leave the left bank and civilians to leave the city.

"This is the same tactic that was used in Pokrovsk. They did the same thing there. However, in Zaporizhzhia, it's a little different. No matter what the media is saying now — and this opinion is being spread as widely as possible — that the enemy is almost there, this is not the case. And the defense situation there is much better than, unfortunately, in the east," Budanov said.

As reported by Ukrinform, the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, Kyrylo Budanov, commented on Russia's winter energy pressure and assessed its impact on Ukraine.