Budanov Warns of Winter Combat, Dismisses Near-Term Ceasefire

Presidential Office Head Kyrylo Budanov stated that halting the war along the current line of contact is impossible due to Russia’s categorical refusal, predicting that combat operations will continue through the winter. He noted that current negotiations are primarily focused on an imminent major prisoner exchange, which he characterized as technical preparation for “something major.” Budanov also recounted a 2025 incident where Russian negotiators mistakenly interpreted Ukrainian protests as…