Russia slams Ukraine’s alleged sabotage plot and condemns US for backing ‘terrorist’ attacks

Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov said that Kyiv was preparing a secret operation against Russian facilities and might receive assistance from the United States in this process. The urgency of the armed conflict came through on the phone call made by the Russian side to the US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin on July 12, 2024, according to NYTimes.

This was the sixth in the ongoing sowar following Russia’s military operation in Ukraine since February 2022 and came after Austin had initiated a similar reach-out by a phone call to Belousov in a bid to ensure that there is constant dialogue. According to some sources, Belousov’s discussion’s main point was a threat he said Kyiv is preparing an operation possibly with US support which Moscow considers as being directed against it.

The Pentagon reacted to these allegations casually and so, US officials feigned ignorance of any such plot by Iran. Nevertheless, interpreting the growing tensions, the Pentagon recommended Ukrainian officials not to take any actions that could aggravate the situation.

While launching attacks on Russian airfields, the Kerch Strait Bridge, and the Russian territory, Ukraine’s operations have been severely condemned by Moscow. Russia has termed these actions as terrorism and alleged that the US is supporting and abetting these acts. This notion is further aggravated by Russia’s constant claim of the US’s role in escalating the Ukrainian conflict and interference in Europe by supporting Ukraine.

By stating that the Russian side agreed to use the line to discuss security issues and prevent the escalation of conflicts, the Russian Defense Ministry endorsed Belousov’s action. However, the statement did not express the actual plot from Ukraine in Thailand, though it referred to it. Putin insists that Ukraine’s actions pose a major threat and Russian authorities blame the American side for supporting such incidences.

Thus, the Pentagon and the White House have emphasized the need to preserve the channels of communication to avoid aggravation of tensions. Still, the events presented herein can be seen as complementing a continued estrangement between the United States and Russia, with both countries blaming each other for the support of Ukraine’s military courses of action.

Others include scenarios such as increased recent security drill warnings to US military installations in the Europe region due to the warnings aired by the Kremlin. Though there is no actual intell that Russia will target the US bases, the preventive measures demonstrated the increased level of concern deriving from the conflict.