TYB
US claims Russia planning false-flag operation to justify Ukraine invasion
The US has alleged Russia has already positioned saboteurs in Ukraine to carry out a “false flag” operation to use as a pretext for a Russian attack, which Washington says could begin in the coming month.
The allegations, following similar claims by the government in Kyiv, come after the failure of a week of diplomacy to defuse the crisis provoked by Russia’s massing of more than 100,000 troops near Ukraine’s borders. Moscow has persistently portrayed the crisis as a military threat from Ukraine against Russia, without providing any evidence.
“Russia is laying the groundwork to have the option of fabricating a pretext for invasion, including through sabotage activities and information operations, by accusing Ukraine of preparing an imminent attack against Russian forces in eastern Ukraine,” a US official said.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/14/us-russia-false-flag-ukraine-attack-claim
Ukraine hit by cyberattack, Russia moves more troops after talks hit dead end
The developments came after no breakthrough was reached at meetings between Russia and Western states, which fear Moscow could launch a new military attack on its neighbor.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/ukraine-cyberattack-russia-troops-nato-talks-invasion-rcna12203
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Most likely scenario in my mind is another Crimean peninsula situation, where Russia 'annexes' a small part of Ukraine, avoiding pissing off NATO too much, while at the same time slowly creeping towards Russian expansion.
Thoughts?