Yes, they had to know the fire they were playing with — notice, testimony to congress:
Now, you try to tell me that this time and place it’s different. All you will do is raise the question whether you are an empty headed talking point parrot or something worse. Much worse. END
PS, here is my basic political analysis, for those willing to learn from hard bought history:
F/N Oct 26: In for a penny, in for a pound. Here — for reference — is my 2020 analysis of dirty, McFaul style colour revolutions vs the SOCOM insurgency escalator:
Where, here is the Russian Chief of General Staff’s view on dirty colour revolution games as 4th gen war operations:
Also, he maps the locations he has in mind in the first instance:
Notice, Ukraine 2004 as well as 14.