📢 Statement

Kyrylo Budanov, Head of Ukraine's Main Directorate of Intelligence, stated in an interview that while an open coup d'état in Russia is unrealistic, a hidden coup to replace Vladimir Putin is possible.

Likely Reported by 2 independent sources
Ukrainska Pravda UNIAN

Two or more independent sources agree on the core facts. Additional sources would further strengthen this assessment.

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Entities

Source Reports

What each source reports. "Source tone" reflects the language used by the outlet — it is not an independent verification.

Ukrainska Pravda → Source tone: certain

An open coup d'état in Russia is considered unrealistic, but a hidden coup to replace Putin is possible.

Ukrainska Pravda → Source tone: certain

Putin's inner circle and financial branch are looking for a way out of the situation by blaming problems on Putin to lift sanctions.

Ukrainska Pravda → Source tone: uncertain

The majority of the Russian military is in favour of the war but is not eager to continue due to significant losses.

Ukrainska Pravda → Source tone: uncertain

Russian special services initially advocated the operation to cover up waste on pro-Russian people in Ukraine and expected to take Kyiv in three days.

Ukrainska Pravda → Source tone: uncertain

Russian business opposes the war due to financial losses and is engaging in private conversations with security forces and politicians, though they do not dare to talk openly with Putin.

UNIAN → Source tone: certain

Kyrylo Budanov stated that Vladimir Putin had realistic options for acting against Ukraine but chose an open aggression option which was described as 'the most stupid and cruel' variant among available plans.

UNIAN → Source tone: certain

According to Budanov, Putin's initial plan aimed to capture Kyiv's administrative buildings within three days and complete the active military phase by destroying resistance west of the Dnieper River by the tenth day.

UNIAN → Source tone: certain

Budanov claimed that Russian officials considered using former President Viktor Yanukovych to legitimize a transitional government in Ukraine.

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Extraction metadata

Extracted: 2026-05-30T04:20:47.957Z

Source story: 7348176