“A person who does not defend Ukraine and does not help the front has no right to consider himself a citizen”: Budanov
The head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense Kyrylo Budanov said that a person who does not participate in the defense of the country and does not support efforts for victory cannot be considered a full-fledged citizen of Ukraine. That’s what he’s about expressed himself in an interview with military officer and YouTube channel author Anna Maksymchuk.
When asked by the presenter what to do with those who still “have not woken up”, Budanov answered: “The time for awakening has already passed.” According to him, if a person has not realized the meaning of struggle during 11 years of war, then “probably, it is simply not her”.
The general emphasized that a full-fledged citizen presupposes the readiness to defend one’s country — either directly at the front or in the rear. According to him, avoiding this duty completely excludes a person from the active part of the nation:
“And the society should perceive him that way. If that didn’t sound harsh. Someone can defend with a machine gun in hand, someone can forge victory in the rear. But everyone has to work for this victory.”
We will remind you that President Volodymyr Zelenskyi voiced a similar approach. In January 2024, he stated that there is no place for passivity in the war in Ukraine:
“If you are not fighting, you are working. It is simply impossible to exist and consume air here.”
The head of state emphasized that men of mobilization age should stay in Ukraine and be involved in the common cause.
