As Ukraine's military prepares to invade the rebel-controlled region, US intelligence agencies are warning of a possible Russian 'false flag'operation. A 'false flag'is an attack staged to look like an attack from a foreign nation by posing as a peacekeeper. The latest explosion, which destroyed a Soviet-era jeep near the pro-Russian Donetsk People's Republic headquarters, has raised fears of a 'false flag'operation. According to Russian reports, the car bomb exploded outside the government building in Donetsk. The explosion could be heard throughout the city of 900,000 people. The US and other Western governments have warned against such incidents. However, they cannot prove it yet. There are many questions about what was behind this alleged bombing. While some people believe the explosion was the result of a Russian-sponsored operation, others believe it was the work of a government. Russia's president Vladimir Putin warned of a false flag operation and said it was a terrorist act.
The Donetsk explosion raised fears of a Russian-sponsored false flag attack, but the Ukrainian government and the separatists in Donetsk have not said what was behind it. While the government in Kiev is accusing the rebels of systematic human rights violations, the separatist leadership has stated that the explosion occurred in a government building.
Intelligence has exposed Russian plans to engineer a pretext for the invasion of Ukraine.
We know the Russian Government's playbook. Do not be deceived.
We call on Russia to de-escalate, and to engage in meaningful talks. #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/qrxMKTkANT — Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) February 18, 2022