Before the unexpected assault by Ukrainian troops on Russia's western border, Moscow showed no signs of alarm, and the Russian defense ministry even released positive news. This was reported by Reuters ,and UNN.
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Hours before Ukrainian soldiers launched their assault on Russia's western border, there were no signs of alarm from Moscow. At midnight on August 6, the Russian defense ministry released positive news: more than 2,500 soldiers of the regiment that captured the town in eastern Ukraine would receive state awards for heroism.
The same morning that Ukraine launched the largest invasion of Russia since World War II, the ministry released a video of General Gerasimov, commander of the Russian armed forces, visiting another war zone in Ukraine.
In the video, Gerasimov is seen listening to reports from his commanders and giving "tasks for further action." The footage does not indicate the exact time of the visit, but shows no signs of anxiety or awareness of the events unfolding in Russia's western Kursk region that could have changed Gerasimov's plans and the course of the two-and-a-half-year war.
Panic quickly gripped local Russian residents in the first hours of the assault, despite repeated assurances from the authorities that everything was under control, as shown by a timeline of the first two days of the invasion compiled by Reuters based on public statements, social media posts and video analysis.
The idea that Ukraine could turn the tide and invade the territory of its much larger neighbor seemed unthinkable to most observers until last week. This surprise operation has called into question the effectiveness of Russian surveillance, as well as the quality of its border fortifications and the forces guarding them.
"The Russians had a complete intelligence failure here," said French military expert Johann Michel, a researcher at the IESD Institute in Lyon, in an interview.
Michel noted that, given the retreat of Ukrainian troops in eastern Ukraine, one of the most important strategic sectors of the front, Moscow probably did not expect Kyiv to make a risky move, the success of which remains uncertain.
"I would understand if it was difficult for Russians to think that something so big could happen," he said.
Recall
The Washington Post, citing its sources, reports that Ukraine and Russia were planning to send delegations to Doha this month to conclude a historic agreement to end attacks on energy facilities and infrastructure on both sides. This could lead to a partial ceasefire and provide a reprieve for both countries.