Officials have reported that Marianna Budanova, the wife of Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR), is in the hospital following suspected heavy metal poisoning.
Marianna Budanova, a university professor, is undergoing medical treatment for the effects of the poisoning. The poison is believed to have been introduced into her diet, possibly mixed into her food. While several other GUR operatives were also reportedly poisoned, Budanova became symptomatic first due to her lower weight.
The substances causing the poisoning are not commonly used in daily activities or military affairs, suggesting a deliberate attempt to poison a specific person, according to a GUR source. The incident is being investigated by Ukrainian authorities as an attempted murder. Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov has reportedly survived multiple attempts on his life.
Marianna Budanova’s poisoning is considered an alarming event, and suspicions have been raised about potential involvement by Russian security agencies. However, no proof has been provided to support this theory. Budanov has been a key figure in Ukraine’s intelligence operations against Russian forces, and he has previously expressed his commitment to opposing Russian actions.
The couple has been living in Budanov’s office for security reasons, spending 24 hours a day together. Marianna Budanova is a professor at the national police academy, teaching legal psychology. Budanov has been the target of terrorism-related accusations by a Moscow court and has vowed to continue opposing Russian forces. The Ukrainian government denies involvement in the assassinations of pro-Kremlin figures, such as journalist Darya Dugina and blogger Vladlen Tatarsky, on Russian soil.
