The Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom issued an unusual statement on Saturday claiming to have exposed a Kremlin plot to install a pro-Russian leader in Ukraine.
Russia intends to make the move while it ponders whether to invade and occupy Ukraine, according to the statement. The statement said that Yevhen Murayev was a potential candidate to be installed in Kyiv.
The Foreign Secretary said in the statement that the information being released today shines a light on the extent of Russian activity designed to subvert Ukraine.
Russia must de-escalate, end its campaigns of aggression, and pursue a path of diplomacy. Any Russian military incursion into Ukraine would be a huge strategic mistake with severe costs.
Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied the allegations, calling them "disinformation" and "yet another indication that it is the NATO members who are escalating tensions around #Ukraine."
The British government was urged to stop spreading nonsense by the account.
The British government's revelations came amid growing concerns that Russia may invade Ukraine.
Russia was accused by the military intelligence service of bringing weapons into eastern Ukraine and of increasing the combat capabilities of the pro-Russia rebels. Satellite images show that Russia has tens of thousands of troops near the Ukrainian border.
The British government has received information that the Russian intelligence services have been in contact with a number of former Ukrainian leaders, including a former prime minister.
The statement said that some of them had contact with Russian intelligence officers involved in the planning for an attack on Ukraine.
The statement didn't give any details on how Russia would implement the alleged plot.
The New York Times reported that the statement was meant to show Putin that his plans have been revealed. Two unnamed US officials believe that Britain's intelligence is correct, according to the newspaper.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
