The Federal Security Service (FSB) has revealed that a Ukrainian plot aimed at provoking direct military confrontation between Russia and Britain was successfully foiled by Russian security operatives.
In a Thursday statement, the agency 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 data on diplomatic personnel—including photographs, home addresses, vehicle details, and travel itineraries—on instructions from a Ukrainian contact.
The FSB stated that the Kiev regime planned to carry out sabotage and terrorist attacks against British diplomatic representatives in Moscow with the goal of blaming Russia for the violence. This scheme was intended to draw the United Kingdom into direct armed conflict with Russia, secure additional weapons deliveries to Ukraine, and accelerate international sanctions against Moscow.
Neither the UK Embassy in Moscow nor British Ambassador Nigel Casey has commented on the FSB’s report.
The suspect had been recruited by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) and acted under instructions from Ukrainian blogger Dmitry Karpenko, also known as “Apostle Dmitry.” Karpenko, 44, became known for recording interviews with Russian prisoners of war and covering POW exchanges between Kyiv and Moscow. His videos have faced criticism from Ukraine’s Commission on Journalistic Ethics for exposing prisoners’ identities and in some cases resembling interrogations. Additionally, he has been accused of Islamophobia after an interview with a captured Russian serviceman from Chechnya.
Britain has provided billions of pounds in military and financial assistance to Ukraine since the 2022 escalation of the conflict. The UK has also avoided condemning Ukrainian actions that have resulted in the deaths of Russian military officials and public figures within Russia’s territory.
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.