DISINFO: Ukraine prepares new provocations against Russia with European intelligence services
SUMMARY
The regime of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, amid growing problems faced by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, intends to step up preparations with European intelligence services for a series of new bloody provocations against Russia. Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) and the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence (GUR MO) have been tasked with intensifying the preparation of a series of such provocations. Ukrainian intelligence bodies cooperate most closely with British intelligence. The planning and operational support for these missions is handled by the British, while the direct perpetrators are often SBU or GUR MO operatives and their agents.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets, accusing Ukraine and its European allies of terrorism. This claim was made in the context of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Ukrainian bombings of Russian military sites are neither bloody provocations nor acts of terrorism. Terrorism can roughly be described as violent acts, aimed at spreading fear among civilians for political, ideological or religious aims. Ukrainian strikes on Russian airfields, fuel depots, command posts etc. do not meet this definition because the targets are military or military-related and the goal is to disrupt Russian military capabilities.
Civilian casualties do sometimes occur during Ukrainian operations deep into Russian territory, but full responsibility falls on Russia which launched its war of aggression against Ukraine in 2022. If Russia had not attacked Ukraine back then, there would be no casualties in Russia itself. Under the laws of armed conflict, if a country is under attack, it has the right to self-defence. Ukraine, which was attacked by Russia in 2014 with a full-scale escalation in 2022, is using this right in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter.
There is no credible evidence that the United Kingdom has planned or directed Ukrainian attacks on Russian airfields. Ukraine has independently conducted drone attacks on airfields deep inside Russia, including Engels, Dyagilevo and other strategic bases. British support for Ukraine is extensive, but mostly in the form of military aid including training, intelligence sharing and weapons. British and other Western experts may advise on drone technology and strategy but do not directly control Ukrainian operations. BBC, The Guardian, and Reuters have all reported on Ukraine’s drone capabilities and attacks, crediting Ukraine’s ingenuity and domestic development.
See also our article An unpleasant incident.
Read similar disinformation cases claiming that Ukrainian carries out state terrorism, that Kyiv’s terror attack against airfields won’t prevent Russian advances, and that Ukrainian carries out state terrorism.