Speaking to Bloomberg News, Budanov said Russian forces have become increasingly reliant on weapons from Pyongyang, including ballistic missiles and heavy artillery systems. He noted that 60% of recent losses in Ukrainian military intelligence units stemmed from North Korean-made artillery.

“Those are good weapons,” Budanov said, adding that North Korea has vast stockpiles and continues manufacturing around the clock. In return, Russia is reportedly sending financial and technological support to North Korea, offering Pyongyang an escape from global isolation.

US and allied intelligence agencies estimate that millions of artillery shells have been sent to Russia, and North Korea has also deployed thousands of personnel to aid Russian operations near the Kursk region.

Ceasefire Urged As Civilian Toll Mounts

Budanov emphasized that a ceasefire should be achieved before the end of 2025, but noted that it would require agreement between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States. “Is it realistic? Yes. Is it difficult? No,” he said.

His remarks come as Russia launched record drone strikes across Ukraine, with 728 unmanned systems used on July 9 alone. UN data confirmed June saw the highest civilian casualties in three years, with 232 people killed and over 1,300 injured.

President Trump recently resumed arms deliveries to Ukraine after a brief pause, calling Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions “meaningless” and reaffirming US backing.

Intelligence, Operations, And Western Support

Budanov, who has led Ukrainian military intelligence since 2020, highlighted the strong cooperation between Kyiv and its Western partners, particularly in satellite data, missile tracking, and covert operations. He encouraged a return to human intelligence practices, warning that over-reliance on digital surveillance creates strategic blind spots.

He also confirmed surviving multiple assassination attempts and noted a memorial wall for fallen intelligence officers in his Kyiv office, underscoring the war’s personal toll on Ukraine’s security leadership.