Ukraine conflict: How the US government planned to avert a Russian invasion

Created: 02/25/2022, 20:35

By: Caroline Schäfer

The Ukraine conflict continues to escalate.

US secret services have already warned of a Russian invasion - and have been for weeks.

Washington, DC – Russian troops launched a war of aggression in Ukraine on Thursday morning (02/24/2022).

US intelligence services had apparently warned weeks in advance of the invasion.

As the editorial network Germany (RND) reported, the White House in Washington has repeatedly announced new information about possible plans for attacks by Russian President Vladimir Putin* on Ukraine for months.

The US government wanted to be one step ahead of Russia* and avert an invasion by Russian forces.

Recent events show that this did not work.

There is now heavy fighting in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev.

According to Ukrainian authorities, scores of people have been killed, including civilians.

Ukrainian soldiers pick up the body of a man who was shot dead when a Russian armored car drove past him.

© DANIEL LEAL/afp

War in Ukraine: US government warns of Russian invasion

Could one have better prepared for the Russian invasion?

According to the RND, at least observers criticize this.

The government around US President Joe Biden* is said to have repeatedly warned of a possible large-scale attack by the Kremlin.

Details about Russian troop formations were also known.

However, the information provided by the US secret services was not taken seriously.

Mistakes in the past that undermined credibility were always pointed out.

According to RND, Russia's war of aggression should then have ended roughly as the White House had announced in December 2021.

With thousands of soldiers, Russia attacked Ukraine* from several sides.

Invasion of Ukraine: Russian schedule delayed by intelligence information

“The intelligence agencies don't usually like to share information;

they want to keep it to themselves,” Democratic Senator Mark Warner was quoted as saying by the RND.

However, the publication of the information had also achieved success.

So the Russian schedule could be delayed.

According to the Democrats, Russia's attempt to justify the war with the argument of an alleged attack by Ukraine in separatist areas has also been stopped.

"This has both affected the international community's view of Putin and slowed his actions," said Mike Turner, a Republican on the Intelligence Committee, of the information release, according to RND.

At the same time, Tuner criticized that the US government could have provided more weapons and air support.

Britain pledged anti-tank weapons to Ukraine in January.

War in Ukraine: Washington and Kiev at odds

Washington and Kiev have long disagreed over the Ukraine conflict*.

According to RND information, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy downplayed the warnings of the US secret services.

"I wish we had been more effective in persuading the Ukrainians to keep mobilizing their troops and reserves," Warner was quoted as saying by the RND.

Despite Russia's strength, that "may have made for a slightly better fight."

What is now coming to light, however, is that the Ukrainian government had apparently been convinced for two weeks that Russia was planning an invasion of Ukraine.

This was reported to the RND by a government official who wished to remain anonymous.

In order not to trigger panic among the population and to keep the economic damage low, the forthcoming Russian attack was hardly discussed in public.

Meanwhile, Russia's state media are distorting the reality surrounding the Ukraine conflict.

In Ukraine it was "a completely normal day", "everything quiet and calm".

Joe Biden is under increasing pressure.

For the Republicans, the President of the USA is partly to blame for the Ukraine conflict.

Among other things, they accused the head of state of not acting hard enough against Putin.

(kas)