Ukraine is now a security guarantor for the whole of Europe — Intelligence Chief

Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, notes that Russia is not currently ready for long-term combat operations. 

"They show in every possible way that they are ready for a war for decades, but their resources are limited. They have limited time and scope. And they are well aware of this," the Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine notes. 

He adds Ukraine has already returned about two thousand people from Russian captivity. However, Russia has more prisoners of war than Ukraine.  

"First of all, they [Russians - ed.] captured 90% of all prisoners of war in the first days—the first days - the first month. About 40% of those held hostage are civilians. Just civilians. Unfortunately, there are many women and children," the chief intelligence remarks. 

"The war's end at the first stage is the return to the 1991 borders. Naturally, this will entail a change in the entire security architecture, the economy, and everything else in the entire region. That's why I say the first stage is reaching the administrative borders. Then we must consider a security strip around Ukraine, at least on the Russian side. To a depth of 100 kilometres or more," Budanov said when asked about ending the war.