Mykola Malomuzh: Moods in eastern Ukraine were surprise to Putin

A former chief of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine says about Russia's failed plans on occupation.

The Ukrainian intelligence had information about Russia's strategic plans on Ukraine and reported to the country's former leadership about all threats, General Mykola Malomuzh, the chief of Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine in 2005-2010, said in an interview with LIGABusinessInform news agency.

“But what's sense of reporting to those, who are a part of Putin's plan? The final goal of the plan is creating a confederation with the centre in Moscow” Malomuzh said.

“They failed to fulfill the full scenario, though they began to implement it, especially since December 2013. But when the Maidan protests defeated Yanukovych, Russia showed its hand and began violent actions. Putin was convinced he had a high rating in eastern Ukraine and that millions of Ukrainians would stand up to support Russia. But it didn't happen even in Crimea, and, I assure you, it came as a surprise to Putin,” the general said.