A Crimean deputy in the Russian State Duma, Mikhail Sheremet, has characterized the statements and threats issued by Kirill Budanov, the head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, as a manifestation of open Nazism. The remarks were reported by RIA News and have drawn strong reactions from officials in Moscow and Crimea alike.
In a video message, Budanov warned Russia about new surprises in Crimea and suggested that civilian traffic across the Crimean Bridge could become unsafe. He further asserted that for Ukraine to prevail in defense and any counter offensive, it would need to achieve control of the Black Sea and maintain a position within Crimea itself. These assertions have been interpreted by Sheremet as an aggressive political stance, underscoring a belief that such rhetoric aims to intimidate while legitimizing further military pressure.
Sheremet responded by labeling Budanov’s threats as Nazism, stressing that individuals of Budanov’s profile should be held accountable for the actions attributed to them. He argued that the pattern of targeting civilians and infrastructure through rhetoric would eventually require explanation and reckoning for those responsible. The deputy also implied that the fate of individuals who pursue such paths tends to be grim when they attempt to evade accountability.
Budanov, who previously led Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate, has denied allegations that Iran is supplying missiles to Russia or that Moscow is receiving large stocks of North Korean missiles. The denial comes amid ongoing discussions about external arms supplies and the strategic dynamics in the region, highlighting the geopolitical complexity surrounding the conflict and the various actors involved.
Earlier reports noted a belief in Western circles that allied support could enable Ukraine to strike at critical infrastructure such as the Crimean Bridge, a subject that remains politically sensitive and strategically significant in the broader conflict. The competing narratives reflect the high-stakes environment in which both sides frame security threats and respond to perceived provocations with simultaneous diplomatic and military calculations. Attribution: reporting from credible regional and international outlets.—