Russia says it detained Russian guard at British embassy over alleged plot

UK prosecutors announce charge over alleged GRU contact

Russia said it had detained a Russian security guard working at Britain’s embassy in Moscow and alleged that Ukraine hired the guard for a false-flag attack on the UK ambassador. AFP reported Russia’s statement and allegations.

The FSB security service said a Ukrainian blogger working with Ukraine’s SBU security agency recruited the guard to track events and people at the British embassy and take note of its security system. The FSB further alleged that Ukraine planned to use the information to prepare and carry out sabotage and terrorist attacks against the head of the British diplomatic mission and other diplomats, then accuse Russia.

The FSB provided no evidence for its allegations. Kyiv and London have not responded.

Separately, British prosecutors said on Wednesday they had charged a 31-year-old British man for allegedly making contact with a representative of Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency. Their announcement came hours before Russia’s detention claim.