The Rest Is Classified 31. Putin’s War: The Secret Plot to Invade Ukraine (Ep 1)
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Mar 24, 2025 The podcast reveals how Western intelligence agencies uncovered Putin's plans to invade Ukraine, diving into the crucial military tensions and troop movements that heightened concerns. It discusses the flawed assumptions behind the invasion and highlights a mission by the CIA director to deter aggression. Humorous anecdotes illustrate tough diplomatic conversations amidst rising global tensions. The engaging dialogue examines the historical context and implications of these events on international relations, providing insight into the psychological stakes of high-stakes diplomacy.
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Podcast Focus
- This podcast episode covers the intelligence picture leading up to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
- It focuses on the period before the war and the opening battles.
October Briefing
- In October 2021, President Biden was briefed on intelligence suggesting Russia planned to invade Ukraine.
- Despite initial skepticism, the intelligence community grew confident in this assessment.
Intelligence Sources
- US intelligence had specific operational details of the Russian invasion plan.
- This high-confidence assessment stemmed from multiple sources, including intercepts and human intelligence.
