The Intelligence from The Economist
General’s knowledge: a chat with Ukraine’s spy chief
Sep 27, 2023
Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine's head of military intelligence, provides a revealing look at the current state of the war, discussing tactical shifts and the management of resources. He emphasizes confidence in Ukraine's counter-offensive strategy while dismissing rumors about drone capabilities. The conversation also dives into Brazil's gambling landscape, highlighting a likely shift in regulations to bolster the economy. Additionally, the influence of TikTok's BookTok is reshaping the literary world, driving interest in both classic and contemporary works.
23:25
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Quick takeaways
- Ukraine's evolving tactics focus on smaller storm groups to enhance mobility and sever land connections with Russia, degrading their assets and exhausting their strategic reserves.
- Brazil considers legalizing gambling to boost revenue, with the potential to regulate the industry and generate substantial income, while weighing concerns about criminal activity and addiction.
Deep dives
Ukraine's Counter-Offensive and Russian Concerns
Ukraine's head of military intelligence, Kirilobudanov, believes that Russia should be worried about the ongoing counter-offensive. Despite slow progress, Ukraine's tactics are evolving, with smaller storm groups replacing heavy weapons, allowing for greater mobility. The aim is to sever land connections between Russia and Crimea and degrade Russian assets. Budanov asserts that Russia is being forced to move reserves from the east to fill in defensive gaps. While questions remain about Ukraine's resources, Budanov maintains that Russia's strategic reserves are being exhausted, signaling a looming reckoning.
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