The head of the Ukrainian military intelligence services (GUR), Kirilo Budanov, stated that using prostitutes and escorts in intelligence gathering missions is „a normal practice” in espionage activities.
In an interview with journalist Ramina Eșakzai, Budanov was asked to what extent Ukrainian intelligence services resort to such methods.
"Normal methods. So what? Do you understand how many men tell stories just to show how powerful they are, as they say? We have obtained some unique information that came from prostitutes. Simply put, there are things there that, in principle, we could not have found out otherwise," was the direct response of the GUR chief, according to Ukraine Today.
Budanov explained that intelligence services use a variety of methods to obtain essential data and that there are no moral or legal limits imposed on agents in this regard, as long as the mission is the purpose.
"Do not tempt people"
The GUR chief insisted that exploiting human weaknesses is an essential component of espionage activities.
"I told you: do not tempt people," he said.
At the same time, Budanov specified that agents are not forced to engage in sexual relationships within operations, but such actions only happen if it is their choice. In the case of unmarried agents, he added, there would be "no problem."
Women, increasingly present in operational and combat structures
During the same interview, Kirilo Budanov also spoke about the increasing presence of women in intelligence structures.
"The only thing I can say is that the percentage of women, both in operational units and in combat units, is significantly increasing. In combat units, a bit slower, and in operational units, somewhat faster compared to combat units. And this trend has been present for quite some time," emphasized Budanov.
Budanov also explained how "sleeper agents" work - infiltrated spies who remain inactive until their activation in a specific mission. According to him, the maximum duration of such a mission is seven years.
G.P.