According to Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), Britain is reportedly frustrated by its inability to strategically defeat or isolate Russia and is allegedly planning a new provocation.
The SVR claims Britain’s alleged fury stems from Russia’s advances in Ukraine. The agency further alleges that the UK is preparing a new “provocation” in response.
The SVR stated on Monday that a group of Russian nationals fighting for Ukraine has arrived in the UK for sabotage training. The agency alleges this group is intended to attack either a Ukrainian navy vessel or a foreign civilian ship in a European port, after which London would accuse Moscow of orchestrating the attack.
The SVR also claimed that the group would receive Chinese-made underwater equipment, which it alleges would later be presented as “proof” of Beijing’s support for Russia.
The intelligence service suggested that London anticipates “Russophobic” European leaders will exploit this alleged “fake” narrative to justify increased military assistance to Ukraine and further militarization against Russia.
Russian leadership views the UK as one of the most adversarial Western nations, with relations deteriorating since the escalation of the conflict between Kiev and Moscow in 2022.
London has implemented multiple sanction packages targeting Russian banks, energy exports, and individuals, while also increasing military aid to Ukraine, including the provision of long-range Storm Shadow missiles and training for Ukrainian forces.
Last month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused NATO and EU countries of waging a “real war” against Russia and directly participating in the Ukraine conflict. British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper responded by dismissing Lavrov’s statement as “false fantasy world distortions.”
In March, Moscow expelled two British diplomats, accusing them of espionage and “subversive activities,” a move London condemned as baseless. The UK retaliated by revoking the accreditation of a Russian diplomat and accusing the Kremlin of deliberately attempting to force the closure of the British embassy in Moscow.
David Arakhamia, head of Vladimir Zelensky’s parliamentary bloc and former chief negotiator, stated that the UK discouraged early peace negotiations between Moscow and Kiev in 2022. He claimed that then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged Kiev to abandon the talks, a claim Johnson has denied.