Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) Chief Lieutenant General Kirilo Budanov (37) and his wife Mariana Budanova (30) have experienced an incident of poisoning. This information was disclosed by UAF spokesperson Andriy Yatsyub yesterday.
Yatsyub stated that several other members of their military unit have also shown mild symptoms of poisoning. However, Mariana’s case involves the use of a substantial amount of poison, and she is currently receiving medical treatment in a hospital.
There is no information in Ukrainian media about whether there is any Russian involvement in this incident. It has not been mentioned if General Budanov himself was the target of this incident.
Details regarding the specific toxic substance used on Mariana have not been disclosed. However, an official, on the condition of anonymity, stated that the substance used on her has not been previously associated with her daily life or military campaigns.
Ukraine’s online news portal, Ukrainska Pravda, reported that health checks have confirmed the use of poison on Mariana. The media outlet, citing its own sources, reported that the incident possibly occurred through contaminated food. After initial treatment, Mariana is reported to be feeling somewhat better.
The Union, a news agency based in Kyiv, has informed through its own sources that Mariana is receiving medical care in Ukraine itself and has not been taken abroad.
General Budanov has been at the forefront of Ukraine’s military operations since the beginning of Russia’s military campaign in 2022. He has been leading the Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense, specifically during the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Even during an interview with War Zone in September, General Budanov mentioned that Mariana has been working at his office in Kyiv for security reasons. Mariana, with a background in psychology, has been involved in politics and worked as an advisor to Kyiv’s mayor. She also mentioned in an interview with Elike magazine in 2020 that she volunteered at a military hospital in Kyiv from 2015 to 2017.
