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The US sees Russian threats and ultimatums on NATO expansion and the Ukraine crisis as part of a campaign to construct a pretext for an invasion of the neighboring country. At least that’s what a US government official says.
According to US information, the agents were trained in urban warfare and the use of explosives to carry out acts of sabotage against Russia’s own proxy forces.
REUTERS
In view of a massive Russian troop deployment on the border with Ukraine, the West fears that Russia is currently preparing an invasion of the neighboring country after annexing Crimea in 2014. The Kremlin categorically denies this.
AFP
Extensive crisis diplomacy was launched this week to defuse the explosive situation.
The West is still puzzling over the intentions of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Kremlin has always rejected accusations from the West that it is preparing for an invasion with a massive deployment of troops on the border with Ukraine.
The US government has accused Russia of creating a pretext for a possible invasion of Ukraine. “We have information that suggests Russia has already deployed a group of agents to conduct a false flag operation in eastern Ukraine,” White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said on Friday.
These agents are trained in “urban warfare” and in the handling of explosives in order to carry out acts of sabotage against representatives of Russia. The information indicated that they would also begin to “manufacture provocations” on state and social media to justify Russian intervention and sow divisions in Ukraine, Psaki said.
Russian forces plan to begin these activities a few weeks ahead of a military incursion that could start “between mid-January and mid-February,” a US official said.
Russian-language posts on social media increased by 200 percent
Russian officials would spread narratives about the deteriorating human rights situation in Ukraine and the increasing militancy of Ukrainian leaders. “All of this is spreading misinformation,” Psaki said. “These media reports also blame the West for the escalation of tensions and point to humanitarian problems in Ukraine that could be solved by Russian intervention. And it promotes Russian patriotism to encourage the country’s support for military action.” The number of corresponding Russian-language posts on social media with this content increased by 200 percent in December.
Psaki and Pentagon spokesman John Kirby stressed that Russia’s actions had already been seen in 2014 with the annexation of Ukraine’s Black Sea peninsula of Crimea. “We’re aware of that and we see what they’re doing,” Kirby said. “I will not comment on the nature of the specific intelligence information, other than reiterating our confidence in it.”
Tensions in the Ukraine conflict had increased sharply recently. This week there were therefore discussions at various levels. On Wednesday, the 30 NATO countries and Russia held consultations for the first time in two and a half years. There was also a meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) on Thursday. Representatives of Russia and the USA had already met in Geneva on Monday.
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(DPA/small)