Ukrainian experts say Russian invasion was years in making

kyivpost.com

“The Russian military invasion of Ukraine has been in the works for years, but still left Ukrainian officials unprepared while other former officials appeared to be working in cahoots with the Kremlin, according to experts who spoke at a news conference in Kyiv today.

(snip)

“Vitaly Portnikov, a journalist, said there were signs that defense officials in the government of ousted President Viktor Yanukovych were acting in Russian interests.

“Who were these people - (Pavlo) Lebedev (former defense minister) or (Oleksandr) Yakymenko (former Security Services of Ukraine chief)?” Portnikov asked. “Both officials were Russian-born and served for years in Russia. And another defense minister, Dmytro Salamatin, was a relative (son-in-law) of former Russian Prime Minister Oleg Soskovets!” Portnikov said. “These people were working for the destruction of Ukraine’s armed forces for years.”