Kyrylo Budanov – Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (2020 – present), Hero of Ukraine.
Place of Birth, Education
He was born on January 4, 1986 in Kyiv. In 2007, he graduated from the Odessa Institute of the Ground Forces.
Career
After completing his studies at the institute, he served in special forces units that are part of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense (GUR MOD). He held various positions in these units.
Since the spring of 2014, he took part in hostilities on the territory of Donbas. During combat missions, he received several wounds, including one serious one.
In the period from August 6 to August 8, 2016, he carried out a special operation in the city of Armyansk, which is located in the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea.
During 2018-2020, he performed tasks related to special activities.
In 2020, he took the position of Deputy Director of the Department of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine (SZRU).
On August 5, 2020, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree appointing Budanov to the post of head of the Defence Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense. In this position, he replaced Vasyl Burba.
Awards and military ranks
On August 24, 2021, Budanov was awarded the rank of brigadier general, and on April 3, 2022, he received the rank of major general.
On September 7, 2023, he received another promotion, becoming a lieutenant general.
On February 9, 2024, he was awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine with the Order of the Golden Star.
Also on August 23, 2022, he was awarded the Cross of Military Merit.
Attempt on Budanov’s life
On April 4, 2019, an attempt was made on Budanov’s life in Kyiv. A Chevrolet Evanda car was blown up on Akademika Williams Street, under which saboteurs planted a mine. However, the explosive device detonated prematurely, which prevented the death of the scout.
The Russian saboteur, along with the group that planned to eliminate Budanov, was detained.
Marital Status
He is married to Marianna Budanova.
Marianna was a candidate for deputy of the Kyiv City Council from the UDAR party. She also serves as an adviser to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko on detecting and preventing corruption in the field of youth policy and sports.
