The Federal Security Service (FSB) has disclosed that a Ukrainian group planned to execute a false-flag operation against British diplomatic personnel in Moscow. This scheme, intended to trigger direct military conflict between Russia and Britain, was successfully countered by Russian security forces.

In a statement Thursday, the FSB reported detaining a Russian national who worked for an organization contracted to protect the British Embassy. The individual gathered sensitive information on embassy security procedures and personal data of diplomatic staff—including photographs, home addresses, vehicle details, and travel plans—following instructions from a Ukrainian contact.

According to the agency, “the Kiev regime planned to carry out sabotage and terrorist attacks against British diplomatic representatives in Moscow to subsequently blame Russia for them in order to draw the United Kingdom into direct armed conflict with the country, secure additional weapons deliveries [to Kiev], and ramp up sanctions on Russia.”

The suspect was recruited by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) and acted under the direction of Ukrainian blogger Dmitry Karpenko, also known as “Apostle Dmitry.” Karpenko, 44, is known for conducting interviews with Russian prisoners of war and covering prisoner exchanges between Moscow and Kiev. His videos have also featured Russian nationals collaborating with the Ukrainian military.

Ukraine’s Commission on Journalistic Ethics has previously criticized Karpenko for exposing prisoners’ identities in his broadcasts and for content that resembled interrogations. The blogger also faced accusations of Islamophobia after an interview with a Chechen Russian soldier, during which he made remarks widely seen as offensive to Muslims.

The FSB further noted that such activities by Ukrainian military forces constitute a serious threat to international security and escalate tensions with Russia.