He made the statement in a video address published by the Ukrainian Women’s Congress.“In the face of unprecedented challenges in our history, Ukrainian women are taking on responsibility and leadership in a wide variety of fields — and national security is no exception. I am proud to say that more than 1,500 women serve in the ranks of the Main Intelligence Directorate, and their number continues to grow,” Budanov said.He emphasized that female intelligence officers in operational and combat units “demonstrate outstanding results and achieve professional excellence.”“The totem of our organization is an owl with a sharp sword — a wise, brave, and armed woman, merciless to her enemies. I am grateful to all women who, each in their own place, are shaping the future of Ukraine — a free country of equal opportunities,” the intelligence chief concluded.On September 7, the head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, said that Russia is preparing for a full-scale rearmament of its army with an eye on future conflict with Europe.