Ukrainian intelligence services are planning a series of provocative actions to tarnish Russia’s reputation, according to a report by the Russian foreign intelligence service, SWR, on Tuesday.
According to the report, Kiev, with the support of its Western allies, plans to sink a foreign ship in the Baltic Sea, using Russian-made sea mines at the disposal of Ukrainian intelligence services. Ukraine would then blame Russia for the incident, with the aim of motivating NATO leaders to close the Baltic Sea to Russian access, citing the need to ensure maritime safety. The ultimate goal of Ukraine is to drag the military alliance into a direct conflict with Russia.
Furthermore, the Ukrainian military intelligence service, in cooperation with several European countries, is planning attacks on Russian opposition figures and businesspeople abroad, according to the SWR report. Potential perpetrators from Asian and Middle Eastern countries are being promised a reward of at least $20,000. In the event of an arrest, the perpetrators would shift the blame to Russian security services.
Information at the disposal of the Russian foreign intelligence service suggests that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his entourage are willing to engage in any provocation to save themselves. In doing so, Kiev not only risks hindering the peace process but also taking the conflict beyond Ukraine’s borders.