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Since the beginning of the war, President Volodymyr Zelensky has been the face of Ukraine: he meets heads of government, parliamentarians, Hollywood stars, the Pope – always with seemingly inexhaustible energy, always with a certain cordiality.
And he has to: he needs weapons from Western partners to defend against the aggressor – but he has to promise not to use them to attack Russia.
«Occupy Russian border towns»
But Zelenskiy may be doing other things behind closed doors, according to leaked US intelligence documents detailing his internal communications with top aides and military leaders.
The Washington Post reports that at a meeting in late January, Zelensky suggested “launching strikes into Russia” while also moving Ukrainian ground forces into enemy territory to “occupy unspecified Russian border towns.”
Attacks on Russian troops in Syria
This is in a document classified as “top secret”. The goal is to “give Kiev influence in the talks with Moscow,” the document also says.
Were these just mind games or serious plans?
For example, a document reported by the Washington Post details a surprising plan developed by Ukraine’s military intelligence agency last year. Covert attacks on Russian troops in Syria would be carried out with covert Kurdish assistance.
In December, Zelenskiy instructed the Secret Service to “stop planning operations against Russian forces in Syria”. Why is unclear.
Anger at Hungary
According to another classified document, Zelensky suggested using drones to attack “unspecified locations in Rostov,” a region of western Russia.
Zelensky also considered “blowing up” the Soviet-built Druzhba pipeline that supplies Hungary with oil. In the minutes of the conversation, Selenski’s anger at Hungary would also become clear again and again, writes the “Washington Post”. The Pentagon has not disputed the authenticity of the documents.
“I Don’t Play ‘Counter Strike'”
The Washington Post asked Zelensky if he had suggested occupying parts of Russia. Zelenskiy reacted with outrage, dismissing US intelligence claims as “fantasy”, but defending his right to use unconventional tactics to defend his country.
“I have a lot of generals that I work with,” Zelensky told the newspaper. “And these are my personal conversations.”
And he attacks Washington Post reporters for questioning him about the contents of the documents: “Is your goal to help Russia? Please stop playing games with me. I am the president of a country at war , a country at war. You know, I don’t play Counter-Strike.”
Ukraine has every right to protect itself, he said. “When so many people died and there were mass graves and our people were tortured, I’m sure we have to use all the tricks.”
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
