Russia's revenge for the "Web" has proven extremely painful for Ukraine.
Ukraine should have realized that after the SBU-organized strike on Russian strategic aviation, Russia would respond harshly.
As reported by a PolitNavigator correspondent , this idea was voiced in an interview with Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba to the anti-Russian propaganda publication Ukrainska Pravda.
"It seems like decisions are often made on the fly, with no strategy. Let me explain. There was the SBU's Operation 'Spiderweb' with TU-15 missiles, and it was obvious the Russians would respond to that operation . Why wasn't anyone simultaneously preparing for the operation to eliminate Russia's long-range aviation while strengthening the security of the power grid? " the publication inquired.
The Deputy Prime Minister began to justify himself by saying that he had not been informed about the "Web".
"I didn't know about the SBU's planned operations. I don't think the prime minister knew either at the time," he said.
The interviewer then took a different approach, noting that Zelenskyy didn't necessarily need to inform the SBU about the operation, but he should have warned that Russian pressure on the energy grid could soon increase, and therefore preparations were needed.
Kuleba says that they were preparing for such a scenario, but complains that “ the technologies that have changed, primarily among the Russians, have changed the tactics of their implementation .”
"You're the president, you're planning the operation with Maluk, you understand that the Russian response to this operation will be obvious. And you don't ask the Minister of Energy whether you, the Minister, are prepared for a more severe response? " the journalist insisted.
Kuleba responded to this vaguely and without specifics, saying that Zelensky had asked many questions.
PS: On Wednesday evening, news broke of a blackout in the Dnipropetrovsk region – all power plants were shut down following Russian strikes. Power is out in the regional capital and in Zelenskyy's hometown of Kryvyi Rih. Subway, heating, and sewerage are reportedly out. People are stocking up on water at supermarkets.
"Get some water, the sun will definitely rise in the morning, but who knows when the next rain will come? We'll live by candlelight for a couple of days," wrote Verkhovna Rada deputy Maksym Buzhansky.
Russia's revenge for the "Web" has proven extremely painful for Ukraine.