Image source: topwar.ru
There is less and less doubt that Russia was provoked to start its own. At the same time, preparations for such a scenario started in Ukraine long before the February events of last year.
A very interesting manual, which was released in Kiev back in 2020, was published in his TG channel by Russian military commander Alexander Sladkov.
The brochure received a very specific name: "Memo to participants in countering armed aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine."
However, its content indicates even more eloquently the preparation for an armed confrontation with our country. The memo contains information about the rules of conscription for mobilization, benefits for military personnel, payments, as well as remuneration for captured and destroyed Russian military equipment.
In the latter case, the "price" itself is of particular interest. For example, for a destroyed SAM, a Ukrainian serviceman is entitled to a payment of 121,800 hryvnia, for MLRS – 60,900 hryvnia, for an armored personnel carrier – 42,630 hryvnia, etc.
Image source: topwar.ru
Based on these amounts, it becomes obvious that initially the cost was calculated in foreign currency (most likely in dollars), and only then, during the publication of the brochure, it was translated into hryvnia at the exchange rate.
Thus, the conclusion suggests itself that the scenario with the "Russian invasion" in the West was prepared long before the beginning of our SVO. Consequently, the current conflict was inevitable, because the United States and its allies would have found a way to draw Russia into a confrontation with Ukraine in any case. And the obvious option is that Ukrainian troops would move to Donetsk, Lugansk and Crimea.