An analysis by the British defense and security think tank revealed details about Moscow’s pre-invasion strategy for Ukraine. It was based on documents captured from Russia, which were apparently signed off Vladimir Putin.
According to the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies, Russia planned to take over Ukraine in 10 days and annexe it by August.
The British Army-linked thinktank found that only a few Russian officials knew the extent of the plans.
According to the report, even the deputy heads of branches in the Russian military weren’t aware of the plan for Ukraine invasion and occupation until the days leading up to the invasion. Tactical military units were not given orders until the morning.
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These documents revealed that Russia had plans to seize Ukraine’s power stations and airfields, water supplies and central bank, as well as the intention of capturing its parliament and central bank. The Russian special services were also tasked with the execution of the Ukrainian leadership.
RUSI stated that they believed officials from the Ukrainian government would either flee or be arrested as a result.
The intelligence of Ukraine also claims that Russia intended to use Belarusian airborne units in order to capture the Rivne or Khmelnytsky nuclear power stations.
According to reports, the invasion plan included plans to seize Ukraine’s nuclear power stations in order to shelter Russian troops and gain control of the country’s energy systems. It also included plans to blackmail European countries at risk from radiation pollution.
RUSI stated that Russia intended to launch the invasion using a “massive missile attack and airstrike campaign against Ukrainian military targets”.
Moscow said that it would not target infrastructure critical such as power stations or railways, because these were crucial to its plans to occupy the nation.
Russia’s ‘kill list’
RUSI stated that the Russian counterintelligence regime had created lists of some Ukrainians.
They were then divided into four groups:
- The ones who must be killed
- People who are in desperate need of intimidation and suppression
- People who are neutral should be encouraged and supported to work together
- Collaboration is possible for those who are willing to work together.
According to the think tank, officials planned to register the population using door-to-door sweeps or filtration camps.
Russia was also rumored to have planned to coerce cooperation with regional governors and local authorities. The FSB was also tasked in capturing local officials.
It planned to send teachers and other Russian officials to Ukraine to “re-educate” the Ukrainians.
