A Russian politician predicted the invasion of Ukraine almost to the hour - two months ago.
On December 27 ultranationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky told parliament that a military campaign would begin at 4am on February 22.
In the early hours of this morning columns of tanks rolled into Donetsk and Luhansk separatist regions in eastern Ukraine.
The Vladimir Putin backing separatist's words suggested a clear plan by the Russian authorities which has been unfolding since the end of last year.
In December, Zhirinovsky told MPs over the move on Ukraine: “I wish 2022 would be a peaceful year, but I love the truth.
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“I’ve been telling the truth for 72 years. This will not be a peaceful year.
“This will be the year when Russia will finally become a great country again. And everyone has to shut up, and respect our country.
“Otherwise they will shut us up, and destroy Russians first in Donbas, and next in the west of Russia.
“So let’s support the new direction in Russia’s foreign policy.”
Zhirinovsky, who is currently hospitalised with Covid-19, is considered to be the jester of the Kremlin, but also particularly clear-sighted on some issues.
War watchers have noted that February 22 is the anniversary of the date on which popular protests in Ukraine drove out pro-Moscow President Viktor Yanukovych and toppled his regime.
This was one of the incidents which led to Russia's seizure of Crimea.
Zhirinovsky warned that the Russian government would take a more aggressive direction in its Ukrainian policy on February 22.
Two days before the invasion, the Twitter account of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs changed its logo to read: "22. 02. 22"
As well as having a track record in the prediction business, Zhirinovsky is also known for his strong anti-West stance and fire and brimstone rhetoric.
In the 1990s he called for nuclear weapons to be used against the Russian North Caucasus republic of Chechnya.
He has also called for forcibly retaking Alaska from the US.
Putin’s prime minister Mikhail Mishustin has suggested that the invasion was not dreamed up over night, and that he had been working for “many months” assessing how to stop economic damage from Western sanctions from recognition of the two Ukrainian regions.
“We have been preparing for many months for the potential reaction over the recognition of LNR and DPR,” he told an emergency Russian national security council session when Putin ordered his key allies to personally back the move.
Fireworks were launched in Donetsk as the tanks rolled in last night.
