Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) announced Thursday the detention of a former guard at the British Embassy in Moscow, alleging he was part of a Ukrainian intelligence operation to stage a "false flag" attack on British diplomatic staff. The FSB stated that the individual, a Russian citizen employed by a contractor providing security services to the embassy, collected personal data on British diplomats as part of preparations for the alleged plot.
According to Russian state media, the detained man, described as 45 years old, was allegedly supplying information to Dmytro 'Apostle' Karpenko, a Ukrainian blogger with military ties. A purported confession from the detainee, broadcast by Russian authorities, claims that Ukrainian officials were interested in the information to carry out sabotage against the British Ambassador, the embassy, and the ambassador's residence in Moscow.
Footage released by the FSB shows masked officers detaining the man, who is then seen face down on the ground. The man's alleged confession details his role as a security officer at the British Ambassador's Residence and his communications with Karpenko starting in January of the current year. He stated that Karpenko sought details about the Ambassador, deputies, other diplomats, and staff, including their personal information, addresses, vehicles, movements, and security arrangements at the embassy and residence.
WhatsApp messages purportedly between the security operative and Karpenko were also published, reportedly detailing diplomats' movements and residential arrangements. One message indicated the Ambassador's wife's travel, and another noted the Deputy Ambassador's dinner outing.
The detained individual has been charged with high treason under Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code, a charge that can carry a life sentence. He was not directly employed by the British government but by an external security firm. Russian state news agency TASS reported that the operation aimed to accuse Russia of hostile actions at a later stage, suggesting that "the Kyiv regime, in order to preserve itself, is ready to resort to sabotage and terrorist acts against its strategic allies."
However, suspicions have been raised that the operation could be an FSB-orchestrated event designed to foster distrust between Britain and Ukraine and disrupt Ukraine's defense support network. Russia frequently portrays the United Kingdom as Ukraine's most steadfast Western ally.