By\u00a0Niamh Cavanagh<\/a><\/p>\n The head of Ukraine\u2019s Defense Intelligence claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin survived an assassination attempt two months ago.<\/strong><\/p>\n Speaking to the Ukrainian news outlet\u00a0Pravda Ukraine<\/a>, Maj. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov said there was an \u201cunsuccessful\u201d attempt against the Kremlin leader\u2019s life at the start of Russia\u2019s brutal invasion of its neighbor.<\/p>\n \u201cPutin was assassinated,\u201d Budanov told the news outlet. \u201cHe was even attacked in the line of, as they say, representatives of the Caucasus not so long ago. This is nonpublic information. Absolutely unsuccessful attempt, but it really took place. \u2026 It was about two months ago.\u201d<\/p>\n Pravda said the full interview with the intelligence chief would air on Tuesday.<\/p>\n In an interview<\/a>\u00a0for the 2017 documentary series \u201cThe Putin Interviews\u201d with director Oliver Stone, it was said that the Kremlin leader had escaped at least five assassination attempts.<\/p>\n Earlier this month<\/a>, Budanov told\u00a0Sky News<\/a>\u00a0he was \u201coptimistic\u201d about Russia\u2019s defeat, suggesting that the loss would lead to Putin\u2019s removal from power by the end of the year.<\/p>\n \u201cIt will eventually lead to the change of leadership of the Russian Federation,\u201d he said. \u201cThis process has already been launched.\u201d When asked if a \u201ccoup\u201d was underway, he told Sky News: \u201cYes. \u2026 They are moving in this way, and it is impossible to stop it.\u201d<\/p>\n According to Sky News, Budanov doubled down after it was suggested that he was spreading propaganda. \u201cIt\u2019s my job, it\u2019s my work \u2014 if not me, who will know this?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n He added that since Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, Russian forces\u2019 military tactics have not changed, despite their shift in focus to eastern Ukraine.<\/p>\n \u201cThe breaking point will be in the second part of August,\u201d he said. \u201cMost of the active combat actions will have finished by the end of this year. As a result, we will renew Ukrainian power in all our territories that we have lost, including Donbas and the Crimea.\u201d<\/p>\n