I hope it's not an informant because the article gives a lot of details that would potentially give away his identity. Also how explicitly they are being about were they got the info from may be an indication of a psyop, otherwise this would be fucked.
Yeah, sounds a bit dodgy. A Russian suddenly discovering his conscience after more than two years of being involved in a war of aggression and countless atrocities? Hmm.
Mix of terror bombing, probing escalation and reactions internationally and demonstrating that they can do as they please, crushing hope within and outside their influence. The usual cynical Realpolitik shit, with a dash of sadistic, immature enjoyment of power on the psychological side.