“Russia initially wanted to take over Ukraine in couple of weeks…” DG of OSW on Russia-Ukraine war

Jan 18, 2024

New Delhi, Jan 18(ANI): Director General of Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW), Wojciech Konończuk on January 17 claimed that Russia initially wanted to take over Ukraine and destroy the Ukrainian army in a couple of weeks Wojciech Konończuk said, “The unprovoked war was planned by Russia's very quick campaign. So basically, Russia initially wanted to take over Ukraine and destroy the Ukrainian army in a couple of weeks. As we know, it didn't happen because of the resistance from the Ukrainian armed forces and Ukrainian society which was a big surprise to the Russians. Paradoxically, Russians and Ukrainians, they created common country for many centuries but it doesn't mean that Russia and Russians understand Ukraine and Ukrainians...There is an impression in many European countries including Poland especially NATO eastern flank countries starting from the Nordic countries Finland and Sweden through the baltic countries Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Slovakia, and Czech Republic to Romania that it is also our war...We know what is at stake in this conflict. It is not only the future of Ukraine as an independent country but it is also the future of international order in this part of the world.” A barrage of 40 missiles and drones were unleashed upon Ukraine by Russia overnight on January 13, in the fourth such attack since December 29. The Russian assault was comprised of 40 attack weapons, including cruise, aeroballistic, ballistic, aircraft, anti-aircraft guided missiles as well as strike UAVs.