Russia’s security services have thwarted a plot to assassinate a “famous” television journalist, according to Vladimir Putin.
The president said the plot was thwarted by the country’s main spy agency, the Federal Security Service (FSB). He did not offer any evidence to support his claim.
“This morning, the Federal Security Service stopped the activities of a terrorist group that planned to attack and kill a prominent Russian television journalist,” he said.
“They turned to terror – to the preparation of the murder of our journalists.
Russia reaches five Ukrainian stations in one hour – live updates
The Interfax news agency reported that members of a nationalist group allegedly acting on the orders of Ukrainian spies had been detained by Russian authorities.
FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov said six neo-nationalist Russian citizens had planned to assassinate Russian journalist Vladimir Solovyov, a staunch supporter of Putin and the war in Ukraine, on orders from the Ukrainian State Security Service (SBU).
The SBU has denied the allegations, which it says are fantasies fabricated by Moscow.
“SBU has no plans to kill V. Solovyov,” the statement said.
Image: Vladimir Putin and journalist Vladimir Solovyov in 2013. Photo: AP
Putin says the West is trying to destroy Russia from within, adding that the CIA is leading attempts to undermine the country and advising the Ukrainian government.
The Russian president also said that foreign media organizations and social media had been used by the West to fabricate provocations against the Russian armed forces. According to him, such actions should be stopped.
In other key developments:
- Eight people died in Russian shelling in the Donetsk region
- Russia says it has destroyed an oil refinery and fuel depots in the Dnieper
- Ukraine says an evacuation route to Mariupol has not been agreed
- Putin congratulated Emmanuel Macron on his re-election
- A total of 21,900 Russian soldiers have been killed in the conflict so far, according to the Ukrainian armed forces
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0:50 Russia’s military goals “fail”
Russia is “failing” its military goals
Earlier, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken spoke after a visit to Kyiv, where he met with Vladimir Zelensky.
Mr Blinken said the United States had approved $ 165 million (£ 130 million) in ammunition sales to Ukraine, along with $ 322 million (£ 251 million) in foreign military funding.
“The strategy we have introduced – huge support for Ukraine, huge pressure on Russia, solidarity with more than 30 countries involved in these efforts – is yielding real results,” he said.
“When it comes to Russia’s military goals, Russia is failing, Ukraine is succeeding.
“Russia’s main goal is to totally subdue Ukraine, to take away its sovereignty, to take away its independence. That failed. “
He said that Russia “seeks to strengthen the power of its army and its economy”, but “we, of course, see the opposite: an army that is drastically weaker, an economy – as a result of sanctions, as a result of mass deportation from Russia is in ruins “.
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2:07 The United States promises an additional $ 713 million for Ukraine
Russia’s attempt to “divide the West and NATO” has also failed, he said.
Mr Blinken confirmed that US diplomats would begin returning to Ukraine next week.
Russia warns the West not to send more weapons to Ukraine
Earlier, Russia warned the United States not to send more weapons to Ukraine, saying it would only increase bloodshed.
“What the Americans are doing is pouring oil on the flames,” Anatoly Antonov, Russia’s ambassador to the United States, told Russia 24 television.
“I see only an attempt to raise the stakes, to worsen the situation, for more losses.
He said an official diplomatic note had been sent to Washington, stressing the “unacceptability of the situation” and calling for an end to the practice.
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