Budanov named the directions of the Russian full-scale invasion three months before its onset.

In November 2012, the Head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov made a forecast regarding possible invasion routes of the enemy. He stated that Russian troops could pass through the Chernobyl zone and the Red Forest and attack Kyiv. Attacks on Kherson and Mariupol are also possible. Paratroopers may attempt to land in Odesa. Budanov also described the sequence of actions of the enemy, including aviation and missile strikes, artillery shelling, tank attacks, and landings in eastern Ukraine, as well as the threat through Belarus to Kyiv and Chernihiv.

At the beginning of November 2012, the Head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov forecasted possible invasion routes of the enemy. He stated that Russian troops could pass through the Chernobyl zone and the Red Forest and strike Kyiv, as well as concentrate the main attacks on Kherson and Mariupol. Furthermore, Russian paratroopers may attempt to land in Odesa. Budanov also described the sequence of actions of the enemy, including aviation and missile strikes, artillery shelling, tank advances, and landings in eastern Ukraine, as well as an attack through Belarus to create a threat to Kyiv and Chernihiv.

A representative of the Main Directorate of Intelligence Andriy Yusov reported that Budanov correctly predicted the beginning of the full-scale invasion in 'January-February 2022'. Determining the exact date was difficult due to the change of plans by the Kremlin.

At the beginning of November 2012, the Head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov forecasted possible invasion routes of the enemy. He stated that Russian troops could pass through the Chernobyl zone and the Red Forest and strike Kyiv, as well as concentrate the main attacks on Kherson and Mariupol. Furthermore, Russian paratroopers may attempt to land in Odesa. Budanov also described the sequence of actions of the enemy, including aviation and missile strikes, artillery shelling, tank advances, and landings in eastern Ukraine, as well as an attack through Belarus to create a threat to Kyiv and Chernihiv.

The intelligence received data about the growing threat from Russia, corroborated by information from partner states. All recipients of this information received corresponding assessments from Ukrainian intelligence.

For example, representatives of the GUR MoD of Ukraine at a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council in Kharkiv on February 12, 2022, reported a threat of a large-scale Russian attack across the entire border of Ukraine, including Belarusian territory.