The United States said Thursday that US intelligence agencies believe Russia plans to create an excuse for an invasion of Ukraine, potentially by creating propaganda videos showing a staged attack. The United States accuses Russia of devising several options to excuse an invasion of Ukraine -us-2022-02-03 Amid rising tensions with the West.
State Department spokesman Ned Price and a Biden administration official said one of the options was a fabricated video showing a post-explosion graphic targeting Russians, including corpses, mourners and Ukraine or allied countries. equipment is visible. “The video will be released to underline the threat to Russia’s security and to underline the military operations,” the official said. “This video, if released, could provide (Russian President Vladimir) Putin with the spark he needs to launch and justify military operations against Ukraine.”
The TASS news agency responded to reports that Russia would stage fabricated attacks by Ukraine, citing Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov: “This is not the first report. Something similar was said before. But some Haven’t even appeared.” US officials said they publicized their most specific allegation of possible Russian propaganda to “disappoint” Moscow from pursuing such plans.
He said it was not clear whether Russia had decided to take such a step or whether they had decided whether to invade Ukraine. “The production of this propaganda video is one of several options the Russian government is developing as a fake excuse to launch and potentially justify a military offensive against Ukraine,” Price told reporters.
“We do not know whether Russia will use this or any other option in the coming days.” Price declined to provide further details or evidence of the video.
US Deputy National Security Adviser Jonathan Finer said in a media interview that the US does not know for sure whether Russia will take this route. British Foreign Minister Liz Truss said on Twitter that US intelligence had “clear and shocking evidence of Russia’s unprovoked aggression and covert activity to destabilize Ukraine.”
Russia has accused the United States of increasing tensions and ignoring Moscow’s calls to ease the standoff on Ukraine, a day after Washington announced it would send about 3,000 additional troops to Poland and Romania. Russia has denied plans to invade, but has amassed thousands of troops along its border with Ukraine.
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