Russian President Vladimir Putin built up forces surrounding Ukraine for months in anticipation of invading his western neighbor this past week, but he did not count on meeting much resistance.
And yet, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy -- a former stand-up comedian-turned-wartime leader -- has managed to rally his people in a desperate bid to fend off as many as 190,000 Russian troops, most of which have been committed to battle. And it's reportedly infuriating Putin.
As reported by Fox News, the Russian president, watching the attack unfold from "his lair in the Urals," is "furious" and "fuming" after his stormtrooper-like invasion has become bogged down amid stiff Ukrainian resistance:
Riho Terras, a former defense chief in Estonia and member of the European Parliament, detailed the contents of the documents in a Twitter thread Saturday.
Putin is accompanied in the Urals location by Russian oligarchs "so no one will flee," Terras claimed the Russian-language documents say.
"Intel from a Ukrainian officer about a meeting in Putin’s lair in Urals. Oligarchs convened there so no one would flee. Putin is furious, he thought that the whole war would be easy and everything would be done in 1-4 days," Terras began in a tweet containing a screengrab of an untranslated document.
THREAD 1/7 Intel from a Ukrainian officer about a meeting in Putin’s lair in Urals. Oligarchs convened there so no one would flee. Putin is furious, he thought that the whole war would be easy and everything would be done in 1-4 days. @EPPGroup @general_ben @edwardlucas @politico pic.twitter.com/8AoelUDWM9
— Riho Terras (@RihoTerras) February 26, 2022
"Russians didn’t have a tactical plan. The war costs about $20 bln/day. There are rockets for 3-4 days at most, they use them sparingly. They lack weapons, the Tula and 2 Rotenberg plants can’t physically fulfil [sic] the orders for weapons. Rifles and ammo are the most they can do," he continued.
2/7 Russians didn’t have a tactical plan. The war costs about $20 bln/day. There are rockets for 3-4 days at most, they use them sparingly. They lack weapons, the Tula and 2 Rotenberg plants can’t physically fulfil the orders for weapons. Rifles and ammo are the most they can do.
— Riho Terras (@RihoTerras) February 26, 2022
"The next Russian weapons can be produced in 3-4 months – if even that. They have no raw materials. What was previously supplied mainly from Slovenia, Finland and Germany is now cut off," he continued.
3/7 The next Russian weapons can be produced in 3-4 months – if even that. They have no raw materials. What was previously supplied mainly from Slovenia, Finland and Germany is now cut off.
— Riho Terras (@RihoTerras) February 26, 2022
"If Ukraine manages to hold the Russians off for 10 days, then the Russians will have to enter negotiations. Because they have no money, weapons, or resources. Nevertheless, they are indifferent about the sanctions," Terras' thread continued.
4/7 If Ukraine manages to hold the Russians off for 10 days, then the Russians will have to enter negotiations. Because they have no money, weapons, or resources. Nevertheless, they are indifferent about the sanctions.
— Riho Terras (@RihoTerras) February 26, 2022
"Alpha Spec Ops have been near Kyiv since the 18th February. The goal was to take Kyiv and instal a puppet regime. They are preparing provocations against innocent civilians – women and children – to sow panic. This is their trump card," he reported.
5/7 Alpha Spec Ops have been near Kyiv since the 18th February. The goal was to take Kyiv and instal a puppet regime. They are preparing provocations against innocent civilians – women and children – to sow panic. This is their trump card.
— Riho Terras (@RihoTerras) February 26, 2022
"Russia’s whole plan relies on panic – that the civilians and armed forces surrender and Zelensky flees. They expect Kharkiv to surrender first so the other cities would follow suit to avoid bloodshed. The Russians are in shock of the fierce resistance they have encountered," he continued.
6/7 Russia’s whole plan relies on panic – that the civilians and armed forces surrender and Zelensky flees. They expect Kharkiv to surrender first so the other cities would follow suit to avoid bloodshed. The Russians are in shock of the fierce resistance they have encountered.
— Riho Terras (@RihoTerras) February 26, 2022
"The Ukrainians must avoid panic! The missile strikes are for intimidation, the Russians fire them at random to “accidentally” hit residential buildings to make the attack look larger than it really is. Ukraine must stay strong and we must provide assistance!" he concluded.
7/7 The Ukrainians must avoid panic! The missile strikes are for intimidation, the Russians fire them at random to “accidentally” hit residential buildings to make the attack look larger than it really is. Ukraine must stay strong and we must provide assistance! #StandWithUkraine
— Riho Terras (@RihoTerras) February 26, 2022
Putin appears to have bitten off a lot more than he can chew by invading Ukraine.
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