The Kremlin claimed that it foiled a Ukrainian plot targeting British diplomats in Moscow meant to implicate Russia in a terrorist attack on the British Embassy.
Russian security officials on Thursday said they arrested a former guard at the British mission in Moscow who was accused of gathering information about diplomatic activities there on behalf of Ukraine.
The unidentified Russian man was collecting information about embassy activities, including identifying key personnel, residential addresses, vehicles used by employees, and details about the security system, according to a report by Interfax, the Russian state-owned news agency.
The FSB, Russia’s main domestic security and intelligence agency, said Ukraine planned to use the information to stage sabotage and terrorist acts against the British Embassy, which would then be blamed on Moscow to draw Britain into an armed conflict with Russia, Interfax reported.
Russia said the man received his instructions from Dmitry Karpenko, a Ukrainian blogger known as Apostle Dmitry. Authorities in Moscow said he was collecting information on diplomatic personnel for the SBU, Ukraine’s security service.
Kyiv’s goal was to ensure a steady supply of munitions and military supplies from London and increase sanctions pressure on Russia, Interfax reported.
The investigation against the man is ongoing, and Russian officials said he could be charged with high treason.
Contact the author
Please read our comment policy before commenting.