‘Russian invasion’ scenarios imagined, complete with detailed maps and phases of the incursion
The same US “intelligence community” that brought us such tall tales as ‘weapons of mass destruction in Iraq’ and ‘Trump-Russia collusion’ claimed in November that Moscow is preparing to invade Ukraine any day now.
The harder Moscow denied it as ‘fake news’, the louder – and more vivid – the allegations became. Things went into overdrive after high-level security talks between Russia and the US appeared to end in failure, with Washington rejecting Moscow’s ‘red lines’ out of hand.
Daily Mail draws maps of ‘full-scale invasion’
“Moscow [has] moved as many as 100,000 troops, as well as tanks and missiles, close to the border” with Ukraine, the Daily Mail claimed on Wednesday. Variations on this line have been reported by just about every major outlet – and many minor ones – in NATO countries over the past six weeks.
The tabloid published multiple maps of how the fantasy ‘invasion’ would unfold.
At least the Mail admitted the claim comes from Kiev, and attributed the estimate that Russia has “a further 3,000 military personnel” backing 35,000 “rebels” within Ukraine to the same source.
The Daily Mail further raised a hue and cry on Wednesday over several Russian ships sailing through the Baltic Sea that “might” be headed to Ukraine, even as planeloads of British missiles were en route to Kiev.
The paper also quoted anonymous senior officials at the UK Defence Ministry, saying they “strongly believe [Russian President Vladimir Putin’s] preference is for a full invasion rather than a limited offensive.”
