00:00Russia may be considering different ways to pressure European countries
00:05so that they stop supporting Ukraine.
00:07However, these types of plans do not always match actual capabilities.
00:13Technically, the Russians could launch drones from merchant ships against European countries,
00:18But if this were to actually happen, it's a big unknown.
00:23This was explained to Union by military expert Ivan Stupak,
00:27who served in the Security Service of Ukraine between 2004 and 2015.
00:32Firstly, all this information is sometimes verified,
00:37sometimes semi-verified and sometimes they are simply rumors.
00:41That's why not even the best intelligence services in the world
00:45They always have 100% verified information.
00:48Secondly, it is technically feasible.
00:51Launching those types of drones poses no problem.
00:55We've seen it in Germany.
00:57Technically, it's feasible without any difficulty, Stupak noted.
01:01At the same time, the expert indicated that an important question arises.
01:06Why would the Russians carry out launches of this type?
01:09But above all, it is important to keep in mind that this is the Mediterranean Sea.
01:14You do it in the Mediterranean.
01:16And the Mediterranean is a puddle.
01:18Are you trying to hide there from the Italian, Spanish, or Greek navies?
01:23So, if there is a national detention directive, those vessels will be detained.
01:29They probably plan to launch them off the coast of Africa, for example, in Tunisian territorial waters.
01:36In that case, stopping him would be very difficult.
01:39But then, if that ship leaves through the Strait of Gibraltar, I think the Spanish could stop it, because it falls under
01:46Spanish jurisdiction, Stupak added.
01:49Thus, in his opinion, there are many nuances that cast doubt on whether a possible operation to launch drones from containers is feasible.
01:56The cargo shipment in the Mediterranean against countries like Spain, France or Italy has been thoroughly considered.
02:04There is indeed fear, but Spain is not among the countries that are helping us.
02:09Italy does, although not as actively.
02:12On the other hand, all these stories could completely provoke anti-Russian sentiment.
02:17They really could do it, but they could also have the opposite effect.
02:23Look, Russia is strong.
02:25We should be friends with her, not fight.
02:28It's better not to help Ukraine.
02:30What are the Kremlin's intentions?
02:32How did they imagine this?
02:34It is also a big unknown.
02:36We have seen that their plans, in many ways, differ from reality.
02:41They are disconnected from her, both regarding Ukraine and other matters, Stupak indicated.
02:48In his opinion, Russia may plan one thing, but the actual result may be the complete opposite.
02:55He also admits that there could be a whole variety of different plans.
03:00The Russians may be exploring all possible courses of action and, at some point, discarding some.
03:06Or to prepare certain operations without actually carrying them out.
03:09Therefore, the expert believes that the Russians' potential options should not be underestimated.
03:16Cutting cables is a very unpleasant thing to do.
03:19It's something that can happen, Stupak noted.
03:22At the same time, the expert agrees that this type of information could be aimed at sowing discord among the
03:30NATO countries or divert attention from other issues.
03:33This is the logic of the people in the Kremlin or the intelligence services.
03:39One of their tools is the lantern.
03:41Sometimes they say that, in certain situations, a good bluff can solve half the problem.
03:46And perhaps they are counting on the fact that, by constantly threatening aggression, they are forcing these countries to keep their own defenses to themselves.
03:54resources and not share them with Ukraine.
03:56How can we share with you if we are being attacked and we don't have enough ourselves?
04:02It's possible.
04:03Or perhaps the goal is to keep the populations of these countries in a state of uncertainty.
04:08But it could also go in the opposite direction.
04:11So what is Russia frightening about? What are we afraid of?
04:15Or let's get even stronger, Stupac concluded.
