CNN: Putin ‘caught off guard’ by release of intelligence on planned invasion of Ukraine

The administration of US President Joe Biden believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin was “caught off guard” by the publication of intelligence about the invasion of Ukraine. It is reported by CNN.

According to the channel, a senior US official said the intelligence intercepts showed the Russian military’s dissatisfaction with the exposure of their plans. “We hope the Russians are surprised by the fact that the Allies are aware of these things,” a Western intelligence official told CNN.

He added that it is useful to make Russia doubt itself and wonder if it can actually carry out some of these plans while maintaining secrecy and surprise.

Earlier it was reported that, according to US presidential aide Jake Sullivan, the Russian Federation could take aggressive steps against Ukraine any day. Most likely, the invasion will begin with an air attack, Sullivan said. CNN, citing its sources, reported that the US and its allies have received new intelligence, according to which Russia may launch an attack on Ukraine even before the end of the Beijing Olympics.

According to the sources, Russia will launch a “terrifying bloody campaign” against Ukraine with two days of aerial bombardment and electronic warfare, and then military units may invade with the likely goal of overthrowing the current Ukrainian government.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken also suggested that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could begin at any time, in particular during the Olympics.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said there was a risk of overthrowing the government in Kiev.

Russia still claims that it is not preparing for hostilities against Ukraine. Moscow says such accusations are being used to justify Ukraine’s military buildup, as well as the concentration of NATO forces in Eastern Europe.

Earlier, we recall that China, on the eve of the Olympics, called on all countries to treat the Winter Games as an opportunity to resolve differences through dialogue and replace confrontation with cooperation.