“Secretary of the Security Council of Russia Nikolai Patrushev and director of the FSB Alexander Portnikov They convinced Russian President Vladimir Putin of the need to invade Ukraine “- the British newspaper “The Times”, citing a Russian government source.
Besides Portnikov and Patrushev, the Russian president’s decision to start the war also had an impact. Billionaire Yuri Kovalchuk.
At the same time, the Minister of Defense of Russia Sergei Shoigu He was only a “reluctant performer” among the higher authorities.
According to the UNIAN agency, it was the power block that launched the invasion. At the same time A large part of the Russian elite was apparently not informed About plans to start a full-scale war. Many of them must realize Putin’s words are “bluff”.
Russia decided to launch a large-scale invasion of Ukraine February 24 morningStarting with the bombing of Kiev, Kharkiv, Lviv and other major cities.
Russian tanks break through the Ukrainian border in Belarus region. Many cities were found under occupationIncluding a part of Kiev region.
In a speech before the attack overnight, Putin called for war “Special Function” as a target The “denazification” and “militarization” of Ukraine.