Behind closed doors, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is said to have proposed a series of spectacular attacks against Russia in order to put pressure on the Russian authorities.
He brings back Washington Postwhich refers to several intelligence documents that were leaked by the Pentagon, the US Department of Defense, earlier this year.
In the documents, US intelligence will describe how Zelenskyj allegedly proposed attacking targets deep inside Russian territory with long-range missiles and occupying smaller Russian villages along the Ukrainian border, according to the American newspaper.
Zelensky: “Imagination”
Zelenskyj himself rejects the claim that he should have offered to occupy Russian villages and calls it a “fantasy”.
– Ukraine has every right to defend itself, and that is what we are doing. Ukraine did not occupy anyone, it is the opposite, Zelensky told the Washington Post.
British intelligence: a big difference
However, the Ukrainian president defends the use of “unconventional tactics” for defense purposes.
– When so many people have been killed, and mass graves and tortures have been discovered, I am sure that we will have to use all the tricks, Zelenskyj tells the newspaper.
In a new statement on Sunday afternoon, Zelenskyj denied that Ukraine intended to attack Russian territory or send forces there.
US authorities do not deny that the documents are genuine.
Describes confidential conversations
US intelligence documents describe Zelenskyi’s confidential communications with his closest advisers and Ukrainian military leaders, according to The Washington Post.
They sometimes paint a more aggressive image of the Ukrainian president than the outside world is used to seeing.
Total panic: “No safe places”
On some occasions, Zelenskyj was reportedly furious behind closed doors and offered what the newspaper described as “risky military operations”. On other occasions, however, Zelenskyj reportedly expressed frustration with Ukraine’s lack of military capabilities.
The documents also indicate that several of Zelenskyi’s statements could just as well have been outbursts of anger, and are therefore interpreted as “exaggerated and meaningless threats” made in frustration.
Unlikely attacks
Ukraine seems unlikely to attack Russian targets with long-range missiles and occupy Russian villages in border areas.
Zelenskyj reportedly assured his allies who supplied long-range rockets and missiles to Ukraine that they would not use them against Russian territory.
Shaken: – I would never fly there
The alleged Ukrainian attacks that took place on Russian territory targeted military targets or critical infrastructure for the Russian military.
The attacks were carried out largely with drones.
Nor would it make sense for Ukrainian forces to enter Russian territory, as this would give Russia an additional reason to escalate the war in Ukraine.
