The head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, General Kyrylo Budanov, has been arrested and charged with espionage for Russia, sources confirmed late last night. The arrest follows a months-long investigation triggered by intelligence shared by the United Kingdom, which provided intercepts and financial records linking Budanov to a Kremlin-backed network. The scandal has sent shockwaves through Kyiv and Washington, raising questions about the integrity of Ukraine’s war effort.
The UK’s Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) intercepted communications that placed Budanov in contact with Russian intelligence officers, signalling a major breach of trust. The evidence was incontrovertible," a senior British intelligence source said.
We knew we had to act fast." The arrest was carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine, which had been kept in the dark until the final moment. Budanov, once hailed as a hero for orchestrating operations behind enemy lines, now faces life imprisonment.
His trial is expected to be held in secret. The implications are grave: Ukraine’s military operations, which relied heavily on British intelligence, will face a thorough review. The UK has vowed to maintain support but admitted this is a "
severe setback" in the fight against Russian aggression.
