How Ukraine disrupted Russia's intelligence-led invasion - Major General reveals
Photo: How Ukrainian intelligence and the Armed Forces foiled the Kremlin's plan (Getty Images)
Russia had a detailed plan to capture Ukraine in a few days. But swift actions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) and intelligence disrupted this scenario, Major General Illia Pavlenko said in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
Russia’s invasion on February 24, 2022, was not a failure of the special services – it was carefully planned and thought out, but disrupted thanks to Ukraine’s quick reaction.
According to him, the claims about the failure of Russian special services are mistaken.
“They acted. And even if there were rumors at the time that the head of the 5th service of the FSB, Beseda, had been arrested, now it turns out he is part of the negotiating group with the USA. That is, they still trust him,” Pavlenko emphasized.
Russia's plan foresaw the lightning-fast blocking of strategic facilities, the capture of power stations, and the creation of the illusion of a coup through the return of Yanukovych.
“Some parts of their plan they did carry out. Russian motorized infantry, according to their plan obtained by the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU), was supposed to cut the Zhytomyr highway — they got there and did cut it. But the AFU and the Defense Forces overall helped organize the defense, prevented a large landing in Hostomel and Vasylkiv,” he said.
However, Ukrainian forces prevented the implementation of this scenario. Thanks to the preparation of the AFU, redeployment of troops, and the work of intelligence, the Kremlin’s plans were disrupted.
“I remind you, the head of military intelligence was the first who, back in November 2021, warned that this invasion would happen and described in detail the directions of the enemy’s strikes,” Pavlenko added.
In the general’s opinion, Russia’s plan was aimed not at war but at a quick coup through the demoralization of the Ukrainian leadership. But this did not happen — Ukraine endured.
War in Ukraine
Russian troops launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. In particular, Kherson, Mariupol, Enerhodar, and other cities were captured. For example, to seize Mariupol, the Russians conducted constant bombardments of the city.
