Today is the 90th day since Russian despot Vladimir Putin announced a “special operation to liberate Ukraine” at 4am Kyiv time. During these past three months, the consequences of this “liberation” were seen in every corner of the world – hundreds of broken Ukrainian cities and villages, thousands of destroyed houses, and tens of thousands of people tortured and many innocent people killed.
That is what Putin’s so-called “liberation” looks like.
In 90 days, there has been more than one great confrontation between the Russian and Ukrainian armies. Negotiations have also taken place, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasizing that the war must end diplomatically. In a May 20 interview, he stressed: “I really thought that the war could end with dialogue, but now it’s a hybrid. That’s why the war is so difficult. And the victory will be very difficult. It will be bloody, it will be in battle, but the end will definitely be in diplomacy.”
However, in three months, Russia has not shown any intention to end its armed aggression via talks. On the contrary, it has threatened to “throw missiles at the whole of Ukraine.” It’s as if they’ve never done it before.
Today, the whole world has seen not only the rottenness of Russia, but the endurance and strength of Ukraine. The world is helping us with money and weapons, but if the war won’t end on the battlefield, then what exactly will the end look like?
“The war will end after the split inside Russia.” These are words heard more and more often today, both from Ukrainian and world politicians. The media is increasingly writing about such an internal split, such as in a recent article published by the Russian opposition media site Meduza, citing its own sources.
The article observes that, during the war, Putin set up several camps against himself – those who want peace and even those who favor a larger war. The Kremlin hopes that he will leave “in the near future” and is already looking for a successor.
Among the candidates are Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, Deputy Security Council Chairman Dmitry Medvedev and Presidential Administration First Deputy Chairman (and premier in 1998) Sergei Kiriyenko, who recently became the Kremlin’s curator of Russia’s push to take the Donbas region.
However, this is not just about action in the near future. Earlier, the head of Ukrainian intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, discussed Putin’s dissatisfaction even with those in his closest circle.
In an interview with Sky News, Budanov said the war with Russia would reach a turning point by mid-August, with most active hostilities in Ukraine being seen off by the end of the year.
“As a result, we will restore Ukrainian power in all our lost territories, including Donbas and Crimea. Europe sees Russia as a great threat and is afraid of Russia’s aggression. But we have been at war with Russia for eight years and we can say that this widely publicized ‘Russian power’ is a myth. Russia is not so strong – it’s a horde of people with weapons,” Budanov said.
He added that key to Ukraine’s success is learning about Russia’s future steps before it takes them, which is why Ukraine often acts ahead.
He also expressed confidence in his predictions about the end of the war based on what he successfully foresaw in the past. For example, when most politicians were skeptical before the war about a possible full-scale invasion, Ukrainian intelligence sought to convey that Russia was, indeed, planning one.
Budanov also said that according to Ukrainian intelligence, Russia is already preparing a coup to overthrow Putin’s regime, and that the president himself is suffering a number of serious health issues, including cancer.
A number of British newspapers have written about Putin’s cancer. One of the largest tabloids, The Sun, wrote on April 30 that the Russian president is already being prepared for an operation. In addition, it claims, citing sources in the Kremlin, that Putin will hand over power to the head of the Russian Security Council, Nikolai Patrushev.
However, the Russian authorities have not yet made any official statements or reactions to this.
Ukrainians took Budanov’s words with relief. It has been said many times that active hostilities will last until mid or late summer. However, when these words are spoken by the head of intelligence, they garner more confidence.
Today, the situation on the front remains difficult. Whilst Kyiv Region was liberated and counterattacks have been successful in Kharkiv Region, major battles have been taking place for weeks on the eastern and southern fronts. According to the latest data, greatest hostilities are being observed in the Donetsk region, namely near Lysychansk and Severodonetsk.
However, the Ukrainian military is showing great strength. During the 90 days of this war, Russia has lost more of its soldiers and equipment than anyone ever expected, is internationally isolated and condemned and under crippling sanctions. That is why we know that victory will be ours. And we thank the whole world for their faith and support.
