The head of Ukraine's intelligence service, Kyrylo Budanov, said that Russia will launch an offensive at the end of May - at the beginning of June. He said this in an interview with German media.

According to him, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are preparing to repel it, but it will be "catastrophically difficult" without Western help.

"Russian troops will launch an offensive in late May or early June. I think that by this time we will be well prepared. And we will see how it goes. Without the help of our Western allies, it will be catastrophically difficult for us. And that's provided that, firstly, it comes in sufficient quantity, and secondly, it goes further," Budanov said.

In addition, following a regular meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said that Budanov and the head of the Foreign Intelligence Service, Oleh Ivashchenko had informed him of the Russians' plans to intensify the offensive.

"Two important intelligence reports - by the head of the Foreign Intelligence Service, Ivashchenko, and the head of the GUR, Budanov - on Russian actions in the spring and summer. We have to be prepared for all formats of possible hostile actions. It is obvious that the madness in the Kremlin is still strong, the occupier will try to intensify assault and offensive actions," Zelensky said.