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Russia-Ukraine: US warns of 'false-flag' operation | Russia-Ukraine: US warns of 'false-flag' operation |
(32 minutes later) | |
There are fears in Ukraine that Russia is planning an invasion | There are fears in Ukraine that Russia is planning an invasion |
Russia is plotting to stage acts of provocation to create a pretext to invade Ukraine, a US official has said. | Russia is plotting to stage acts of provocation to create a pretext to invade Ukraine, a US official has said. |
A Pentagon spokesman said Russian operatives were planning a "false-flag" operation, to allow Moscow to accuse Ukraine of preparing an attack. Russia has dismissed the claims. | A Pentagon spokesman said Russian operatives were planning a "false-flag" operation, to allow Moscow to accuse Ukraine of preparing an attack. Russia has dismissed the claims. |
It comes after a week of US-Russian talks aimed at defusing tensions. | It comes after a week of US-Russian talks aimed at defusing tensions. |
Ukraine on Friday accused Russia of being behind a cyber-attack on dozens of official websites. | Ukraine on Friday accused Russia of being behind a cyber-attack on dozens of official websites. |
Before the sites went offline, a message appeared warning Ukrainians to "prepare for the worst". Access to most of the sites was restored within hours. | Before the sites went offline, a message appeared warning Ukrainians to "prepare for the worst". Access to most of the sites was restored within hours. |
The US and Nato condemned the attack and have offered support to Ukraine. Russia has not commented on the hack. | The US and Nato condemned the attack and have offered support to Ukraine. Russia has not commented on the hack. |
Russia and West talk all week but war risk remains | Russia and West talk all week but war risk remains |
Is Russia preparing to invade Ukraine? | Is Russia preparing to invade Ukraine? |
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Friday about what he said were Russia's plans. | |
"It has pre-positioned a group of operatives to conduct what we call a false-flag operation, an operation designed to look like an attack on them or Russian speaking people in Ukraine as an excuse to go in," he said. | "It has pre-positioned a group of operatives to conduct what we call a false-flag operation, an operation designed to look like an attack on them or Russian speaking people in Ukraine as an excuse to go in," he said. |
The operatives were trained in urban warfare and using explosives to carry out acts of sabotage against pro-Russian rebels, US officials said. | The operatives were trained in urban warfare and using explosives to carry out acts of sabotage against pro-Russian rebels, US officials said. |
Ukraine's Defence Ministry said similar acts were being prepared against Russian troops stationed in the breakaway Transdnistria region of Moldova. | Ukraine's Defence Ministry said similar acts were being prepared against Russian troops stationed in the breakaway Transdnistria region of Moldova. |
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded by describing the reports as unsubstantiated and "confirmed by nothing". | Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded by describing the reports as unsubstantiated and "confirmed by nothing". |
The US official's remarks follow an earlier statement by US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, who told reporters about intelligence that Russia was laying the groundwork to try to fabricate a pretext for invading Ukraine. | The US official's remarks follow an earlier statement by US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, who told reporters about intelligence that Russia was laying the groundwork to try to fabricate a pretext for invading Ukraine. |
He said it was the same playbook Russia used when it occupied Crimea in 2014. | He said it was the same playbook Russia used when it occupied Crimea in 2014. |
Russia has amassed weaponry along with tens of thousands of troops on the border with Ukraine, prompting invasion fears. | Russia has amassed weaponry along with tens of thousands of troops on the border with Ukraine, prompting invasion fears. |
US and Russian officials have been in talks for the past week in an attempt to reduce tensions over Ukraine, but little agreement appears to have been reached. | US and Russian officials have been in talks for the past week in an attempt to reduce tensions over Ukraine, but little agreement appears to have been reached. |
Russia denies it is planning to invade Ukraine but is seeking guarantees against Nato's eastward expansion, something that Western countries say they are unable to give. | Russia denies it is planning to invade Ukraine but is seeking guarantees against Nato's eastward expansion, something that Western countries say they are unable to give. |
This video can not be played | This video can not be played |
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Russian troop build-up: View from Ukraine front line | Russian troop build-up: View from Ukraine front line |