Ukraine’s spy chief receives honorary doctorate

Source: KSE

Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate,  can boast another a succesful operation on the academic front after he has been awarded an honorary doctorate from the prestigious Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) for his “outstanding contributions to Ukrainian statehood and cooperation with educational institutions”.

According to a press release from KSE, Budanov received the honor at a special ceremony on Monday, July 29, 2024. In his speech, Ukraine’s spy chief took the opportunity to address the graduating class of master’s students with a rousing speech. Budanov urged the young graduates to “always be number one,” strive for knowledge, and be prepared to face challenges head-on.

“Don’t be afraid to take risks, develop through trials, and believe in Ukraine’s future,” said Budanov addresing the crowd of KSE students.

But the spy chief’s message wasn’t just about motivational insights. He also tackled tough questions from the graduates  who asked him about how to defeat Russian aggression and what kind of specialists Ukraine needs to defend itself.

When asked what kind of experts Ukraine is lacking, Budanov’s response was tongue-in-cheek: “Graduates of the Kyiv School of Economics.”