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An officer of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine with the call sign Vito exclusively for the Brave Hearts project told the details of preparations of the intelligence men for the defence of Kharkiv.

“My colleague, also a colonel, and I arrived in Kharkiv even before the full-scale invasion to prepare for the defence of the city and the region,” Vito said.

Everything was planned in advance. According to the Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov, in order todefend Kharkiv and the region from the russians, it was decided to transport cargo with weapons to the city before the invasion.

“Our officers sent batches of small arms along with grenade launchers, explosives and so on to Kharkiv two or three weeks before the beginning of hostilities in order to create, let’s say so, local defence forces. It helped,” said Kyrylo Budanov.

Vito is one of the officers who implemented the plan to prepare for the defence of Kharkiv.

“Budanov’s Plan” ― that’s what we used to name it. The commander called me and my colleague. And Budanov spoke. We got ready and went to Kharkiv. We loaded two cars with weapons and ammunition. We arrived in the city and made clandestine caches. On February 23, I issued the first weapons to the people,” the officer recalled.

According to him, the number of volunteers who stood up to defend their city from russian invaders exceeded all expectations - not enough weapons were brought in.

“We didn't have enough ammunition, grenades, anti-tank grenade launchers. What we brought was intended for a certain number of volunteers who would take up arms. However, the residents of Kharkiv showed themselves completely differently. We had to arm them,” added Vito.