Britain says the Kremlin is trying to appoint a pro-Russian leader to Ukraine’s parliament. It would be the former Ukrainian parliamentarian Yevchen Murayev.
Russian intelligence agents are also said to have been in contact with a number of former Ukrainian politicians as part of plans for an invasion.
The UK Foreign Office would not say where this information came from. According to a source at the ministry, it is not customary to share intelligence matters and the details were only released after careful consideration with the aim of deterring Russian aggression.
‘A huge strategic mistake’
In a statement, the British Foreign Secretary said a Russian invasion of Ukraine would be “a huge strategic mistake” with serious consequences. She also calls on Russia to de-escalate and “walk the path of diplomacy”.
The Kremlin and Yevchen Murayev have not commented on the British statement.
The relationship between Russia and Ukraine has been under high tension since Russia November last year has begun to build up a force on the border with Ukraine.
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