If we had reliable damage numbers, it would be possible to assess the claim. But all we get is western propaganda sources. It is also difficult to believe Russia on most things too.

Hypothetically speaking, what I am saying is this: if we knew how much damage was caused, and how many casualties, it would be possible to tell if this was the kind of attack that you’d let happen vs the kind of attack you got caught with pants down. Trivial damage, little to no casualties = probably allowed to happen. Serious damage/many casualties = probably caught by surprise.

Also, if he just let this happen, we wouldn’t have reported on it. Because we’d know if we snuck in or they let us in. And we wouldn’t give him the benefit of acknowledging what happened.