Moscow has accused the United Kingdom and the United States of being involved in the Ukrainian attack on the Russian Black Sea Fleet command center in Sevastopol on the Crimean Peninsula.
Maria Zakharova, the spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated in a press release issued in Moscow on Wednesday that London and Washington have long been supporting the “criminal regime” in Kyiv.
She added that the attack on September 22 was carried out “without a doubt” with the assistance of the American and British intelligence agencies.
Zakharova claimed that the reconnaissance data and satellite imagery of the two NATO member states, along with spy planes, were used in the attack.
“The clear purpose of such terrorist acts is to divert attention from the failed counterattack attempts by the Ukrainian armed forces, which are aimed at intimidating people and sowing panic in our society,” She further stated.
Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 in violation of international law. In response to the ongoing Ukrainian counteroffensive, which has been underway for several months, the country has emphasized its intention to liberate the occupied Crimea as well.
The Ukrainian military began its counteroffensive in June with the aim of regaining territory in the east, and it recently announced the capture of two key villages, Andriivka and Klyshivka, near the devastated city of Bahmut.
Ukrainian forces are also attempting to advance southward toward the Sea of Azov to cut off the land bridge that Russia established between the Crimean Peninsula and the eastern-controlled territories.
Recent reports have indicated a new deployment of fighters from the Russian Wagner Group on various fronts in eastern Ukraine.
Earlier reports suggested that Wagner fighters were participating in the ongoing battle for the Ukrainian city of Bahmut.
The situation in eastern Ukraine remains highly volatile, with ongoing clashes and allegations of external involvement.
The international community continues to closely monitor developments in the region as diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict persist.
