Russia has revealed that Ukraine has been actively preparing for a large-scale conflict with Russia and establishing an espionage network in Crimea.
Creating Sabotage
According to Lenta colonel Timur Syrtlanov, a member of the presidium of the all-Russian organization "Officers of Russia" and a veteran of special forces, disclosed this information, as reported by RIA Novosti.
"Since 2014, Ukraine has been actively preparing for war against the Russian Federation," Syrtlanov stated. "Kiev has been creating sabotage and reconnaissance groups, agent networks, saboteurs, and agents, recruiting hundreds of people for future terrorist and sabotage actions on our territory."
The tension between Russia and Ukraine escalated significantly in 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea following a controversial referendum.
Threats And Blackmail
The international community widely condemned the annexation, with many countries, including the United States, considering it illegal and a violation of Ukrainian sovereignty. Since then, Crimea has been a focal point of conflict, with ongoing military and intelligence operations on both sides.
According to Syrtlanov, the Ukrainian special services often use threats and blackmail to recruit individuals. He emphasized that Russian special services will ensure that these saboteurs do not go unpunished. He also issued a warning to sleeper cells in Crimea and other regions to carefully consider the risks before committing crimes.
This announcement follows a recent incident in Crimea, where the Federal Security Service (FSB) detained an agent of the Ukrainian special services. The agent, a 42-year-old Ukrainian citizen, was allegedly transmitting information about Russian military activities. He is now facing charges under Article 276 ("Espionage") of the Russian Criminal Code.
