Ukraine must enter Crimea by year-end, says Intelligence Chief

By the end of this year, we must at least enter the territory of Crimea, Kyrylo Budanov, Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, told Ukrainska Pravda, Report informs.

"The active phase of the battle should reduce to a minimum by the end of the year. Russia has 12 months of resources to wage a normal war," he said.

Budanov said the war would result in the liberation of all occupied territories, including the Crimean peninsula.

The head of Ukrainian Intelligence suggested that the war would end in two scenarios for Russia: "The first is a change in Russia's political leadership with the formal preservation of Russia's territorial integrity. I note again - formally. In this case, everyone will personally blame Putin and his inner circle and say that Russia has nothing to do with it. They will withdraw their troops from all invaded territories of the world. The occupied territories will return to the countries to which they belong in principle - Georgia, Japan, Germany, and so on. Russia will begin to resume its activities as a civilized state. Let's say it will start again. It will work for some time. Only history will show us the future."