I think the offer was legitimate, and here's my analysis.
The West in 2019 was many years into their Russophobia program and took every opportunity--real or manufactured--to bad-mouth them. So suppose they suspected this was some was some kind of BS gambit, or maybe they were going to get mailed a bunch of welded-together parts for a '74 Lada. Why not take those damn Russkies up on it?
If they never come through, then it's, "Look at these untrustworthy liars!" If it's old car parts, then it's, "Look at this primitive nonsense! Also untrustworthy liars!" For that matter, if they get a missile that goes Mach 10 and hits like Jesus, then it's, "Look at this primitive nonsense! Also untrustworthy liars!"
But no, they didn't see any advantageous scenario here so they flushed it down the memory hole. To me, it was yet another instance where Russia was trying to avoid what finally, in Ukraine 2022, proved ultimately to be unavoidable. I wonder how many Western "volunteers" have gotten smoked by Kinzhals?
Well, I am sure it was a tongue in cheek plan there.
Likely sell half baked goods in attempt to waylay them. That is likely the one take/concern had from the western side.
In reality, no way to be sure what was happening there. Could have been the real deal, why not.
I think the offer was legitimate, and here's my analysis.
The West in 2019 was many years into their Russophobia program and took every opportunity--real or manufactured--to bad-mouth them. So suppose they suspected this was some was some kind of BS gambit, or maybe they were going to get mailed a bunch of welded-together parts for a '74 Lada. Why not take those damn Russkies up on it?
If they never come through, then it's, "Look at these untrustworthy liars!" If it's old car parts, then it's, "Look at this primitive nonsense! Also untrustworthy liars!" For that matter, if they get a missile that goes Mach 10 and hits like Jesus, then it's, "Look at this primitive nonsense! Also untrustworthy liars!"
But no, they didn't see any advantageous scenario here so they flushed it down the memory hole. To me, it was yet another instance where Russia was trying to avoid what finally, in Ukraine 2022, proved ultimately to be unavoidable. I wonder how many Western "volunteers" have gotten smoked by Kinzhals?
Yep, good inputs. I am inclined to agree with your assessment as it makes sense.
Yea likely not something we will ever really know but I am sure its a number.