German publication The Bild, citing a foreign intelligence report, has published an article saying that Russian authorities want to create a “puppet regime” after allegedly “invading” Ukraine by incorporating the country into the Russia-Belarus Union State
The article said that the Russian army allegedly intends to “destroy Ukrainian troops in the field” after the Russian-Ukrainian border is crossed. Also, Moscow’s plans allegedly include laying siege to major cities and activating “agent cells” deployed there in advance to negotiate with the “pro-Russian leadership to capitulate and surrender” the cities.
“After gaining control of all major cities in Ukraine, the Russian authorities would create a ‘People’s Rada’ of representatives who had been selected by the special services. This fictitious body would allow the establishment of a puppet regime in Ukraine”, – the publication said.
According to the German tabloid’s editorial board, the FSB is now allegedly working on setting up “pro-Russian groups for deployment in Ukraine”.
According to the German intelligence, the new government will declare a state of emergency, local residents will be divided into those loyal to the Kremlin and those dissenting, and a referendum on joining Russia will be held in the country after Ukraine fully takes over. The putative “invasion” of Ukraine, they believe, could take place in February but no later than March, unless Russian President Vladimir Putin “changes his mind”.
The Russian embassy called the published information “a strange mixture of speculation and rumour” and refused to comment on this blatant nonsense