Who is Marianna Budanova? Wiki, Age, Parents, Ethnicity, BIO & Facts About Kyrylo Budanov’s Wife
Marianna Budanova (born 3 August 1993, Age: 30 years old) is a Ukrainian professor and politician who is married to Kyrylo Budanov, the chief of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. She recently made headlines after being poisoned with heavy metals, allegedly by Russian agents, in an attempt to assassinate her husband.
Early Life and Education
Marianna was born on August 3, 1993, in Stavishche, a town in the Kyiv region of Ukraine. She grew up in a family of mixed ethnicities, with Ukrainian, Russian, and Jewish roots. She attended a local school and showed interest in psychology and politics from a young age.
She graduated from the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv with a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2014. She then pursued a master’s degree in psychology at the same university, specializing in legal psychology. She also studied at the National Academy of Public Administration under the President of Ukraine, where she obtained a diploma in public administration.
Marianna Budanova Wiki/Bio
| Real Name | Marianna Budanova |
| Age | 30 years old |
| Birth Date | August 3, 1993 |
| Birth Place | Stavishche, Kyiv, Ukraine |
| Lives in | Kyiv, Ukraine |
| Gender | Female |
| Nationality | Ukrainian |
| Ethnicities | Mixed |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Husband | Kyrylo Budanov |
| Qualification | Master’s in Psychology |
| Profession | Professor and Politician |
| Works As | Professor – National Police Academy |
| Height | In feet: 5’ 6″ |
| Eyes | Black |
| Hair | Black |
| mariannabudanova | |
| Homepage | newsunzip.com |
Career and Achievements
Budanova started her career as a psychologist and a lecturer at the National Police Academy of Ukraine, where she taught courses on psychological support, conflict resolution, and communication skills. She also worked as a volunteer at the Kyiv Military Hospital in 2015-2017, providing psychological assistance to the wounded soldiers and veterans of the Russo-Ukrainian War.
She later became involved in politics, working as an adviser to the mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, from 2018 to 2020. She helped him with various projects related to social policy, urban development, and public relations. She also participated in several civic initiatives and campaigns, such as the Anti-Corruption Movement, the Women’s March, and the Green Party.
Marianna Budanova is currently a professor at the National Police Academy of Ukraine, where she continues to teach legal psychology and conduct research on various topics, such as the psychological impact of war, the prevention of domestic violence, and the promotion of human rights.
Personal Life and Family
Marianna Budanova met Kyrylo Budanov, a military intelligence officer, in 2016, when they were both working on a joint project between the National Police Academy and the Main Directorate of Intelligence. They fell in love and got married in 2017, in a private ceremony attended by their close friends and relatives.
They have no children, but they have a pet dog named Rex, who is a German shepherd. They live in Kyiv, where they have a modest apartment near the office of the Main Directorate of Intelligence. They also have a country house on the outskirts of Kyiv, where they spend their weekends and holidays.
Marianna Budanova is a supportive and loyal wife, who understands and respects her husband’s work and mission. She often accompanies him on his official trips and visits, both within Ukraine and abroad. She also helps him with his public speeches and interviews, as well as his personal and professional development.
She is a devout Orthodox Christian, who attends church regularly and prays for her husband’s safety and success. She is also fluent in several languages, including Ukrainian, Russian, English, and German.
Poisoning and Hospitalization
On November 28, 2023, Budanova was hospitalized after feeling unwell for a prolonged period. She was diagnosed with heavy metals poisoning, caused by cyanide and mercury, which were found in her blood and urine samples. She was given an antidote and a course of treatment, and her condition stabilized.
According to Andriy Yusov, a spokesman for the Main Directorate of Intelligence, several other agency employees also had mild symptoms of poisoning, but they recovered quickly. He did not specify how many or who they were.
The Ukrainian authorities opened an investigation into the incident, suspecting that it was an attempted murder, orchestrated by the Russian intelligence services, who wanted to eliminate or intimidate Kyrylo Budanov, one of the most prominent and effective Ukrainian spymasters.
Kyrylo Budanov, who has survived more than 10 assassination attempts since the start of the war with Russia in 2014, said that he was not surprised by the poisoning of his wife and that he considered it a sign of his work’s effectiveness and importance. He also said that he was grateful for the prompt and professional medical care that his wife received and that he hoped for her full and speedy recovery.
He also thanked the Ukrainian people and the international community for their support and solidarity and vowed to continue his work with even more determination and courage.
A Suspected Poisoning Attempt on Ukraine’s Top Spy’s Wife
What happened?
Marianna, the wife of Kyrylo Budanov, the chief of Ukraine’s Military Intelligence agency (GUR), has been hospitalized with apparent heavy metals poisoning, according to Ukrainian and Western officials. Budanova, who is also an advisor to Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko, was reportedly poisoned by arsenic and mercury, substances that are not used in normal life or military affairs.
She had been receiving treatment for a week and had felt unwell for some time before being admitted to the hospital. Several other GUR staff members have also been sickened by suspected poisoning and are undergoing medical tests.
Ukrainian authorities have opened an investigation into what they described as an “attempted murder” and are looking into the possibility of a deliberate poisoning attempt by Russian agents.
Why is it significant?
The suspected poisoning of Budanova and other GUR employees is the latest in a series of attacks and threats against Ukrainian officials and activists amid the ongoing war with Russia. Budanov, who has survived more than 10 assassination attempts throughout his career, is the head of the influential military intelligence unit that is responsible for several sabotage operations against Russia behind the front lines.
His agency has been deeply involved in Ukraine’s efforts to oust Russia from its territory, especially after Russia launched a large-scale military invasion across a broad front on February 24, 2023, causing Ukraine to sever all formal diplomatic ties with Russia. The GUR has also been accused by Moscow of being behind the October 2022 explosions on the Kerch bridge, which links Russia to the annexed Crimean peninsula.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told CNN that “it’s highly likely that Russia is behind it” but that he was “not making any official conclusions.” He added that “when you fight such a vicious enemy as Russia, you have to be ready for anything, and Russia has proven itself many times before as a country that uses poison as a means to kill its opponents and its enemies.”.
Trivia
- Marianna has a verified Instagram account with over 50,000 followers, where she posts pictures of her personal and professional life, as well as her views and opinions on various issues.
- She is an avid reader and a fan of classical literature, especially the works of Leo Tolstoy, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, and Anton Chekhov. She also enjoys listening to music, especially jazz and rock, and playing the piano.
- She is a fitness enthusiast and a yoga practitioner, who likes to keep herself in shape and healthy. Budanova also follows a vegetarian diet and advocates for animal rights and environmental protection.
- She is a role model and an inspiration for many young women in Ukraine and around the world, who admire her for her intelligence, beauty, courage, and achievements.
- She has received several awards and honors for her work and contributions, such as the Order of Princess Olga, the Order of Merit, and the Woman of the Year.
