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Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, in an exclusive interview for the ‘Brave Hearts’ talk show, shared his memories of key episodes of Kyiv’s defence.

According to him, the operation in Irpin became a turning point for the defence of the capital.

“The operation in Irpin was unexpected for the russians at the time. It split their grouping, operating in the Kyiv sector into two parts. After that, they began to flee,” said Kyrylo Budanov.

He also described the stage of preparations to blow up the dam on the Irpin River to widen its channel and thus create an obstacle for the russian occupiers.

“They found a person, I don't remember the name of the organisation, who was responsible for the hydraulic structures. Its chief engineer came to me. He explained for a long time what was going on in such scientific terms. I said to him: “Can you just tell me straightforwardly what is needed to make the river burst its banks?” – “Well, yes: blow up here and here, and open these locks.” After that, the work began,” Kyrylo Budanov recalled.