Sergei Markov
On the Russian invasion of Ukraine
#### On the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Prior to the [Russian invasion of Ukraine](/wiki/2022_Russian_invasion_of_Ukraine "2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine") in February 2022, Markov said that "It will not be a war against Ukraine, but to liberate Ukraine" from the pro\-Western government that took power in 2014, adding that "a military operation now would prevent a wider war in future." In March 2022, Markov argued that the Russian invasion of Ukraine was not a "war between Russia and Ukraine, it’s a war between Russia and (the) United States puppet who now occupy Ukraine. It’s liberation of Ukraine and it’s a proxy war of United States against Russia. We believe there’s no independent Ukrainian government and this government is wholly under the control of the United States security community." Markov later admitted that the war in Ukraine was more difficult "than had been expected. It was expected that 30 to 50 percent of the Ukrainian Armed Forces would switch over to Russia’s side. No one is switching over." On Russia's disastrous performance in the war, Markov said "So far the results have been appalling because Russia wasn’t at all ready".

On 25 June 2024 Markov was still complaining about the "terroristic, [Neo\-Nazi](/wiki/Disinformation_in_the_Russian_invasion_of_Ukraine "Disinformation in the Russian invasion of Ukraine")" régime of Ukraine. He said that Russia was in the midst of a "humanitarian intervention".

In August 2024, Ukrainian forces [crossed the border](/wiki/August_2024_Kursk_Oblast_incursion "August 2024 Kursk Oblast incursion") into [Kursk Oblast](/wiki/Kursk_Oblast "Kursk Oblast") during the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine resulting in part of the oblast becoming under [Ukrainian occupation](/wiki/Ukrainian_occupation_of_Kursk_oblast "Ukrainian occupation of Kursk oblast"). Markov told *The Washington Post* that "the signal came from intelligence to the leadership, but ... measures were not taken. This is a failure of the entire system of intelligence, and since Putin is responsible for this, then it's clear this is a blow to Putin." Speculating on Ukraine's motive for invading the Kursk Oblast, Markov said that "Putin has said many times that any [peace agreement](/wiki/Peace_negotiations_in_the_Russian_invasion_of_Ukraine "Peace negotiations in the Russian invasion of Ukraine") should take into account the facts on the ground and that Russia will not leave the territory it has taken" and Ukraine is trying "to break this formula and gain Russian territory to exchange."


What is the Russian invasion of Ukraine?