Ukraine rebuked amid Russian Navy Day attack allegations
Russian state television claims that Ukraine may have planned an attack on participants of the Russian Navy Day celebrations, among whom was supposed to be Vladimir Putin, reported Reuters. The Russians intervened in this matter in the USA. "If you are thinking of doing something like this, don't" - Kyiv heard from the head of the Pentagon.
"Russia had suspicions that Ukraine planned to attack Russia during the Navy Day parade which was attended by President Vladimir Putin last month and Moscow contacted Washington about its concerns, Russian state television reported," writes Reuters.
Urgent phone call from the Kremlin to the USA
Navy Day was celebrated in Russia on 30th July. Russian television reported that the details of the alleged Ukrainian attack plans are classified as state secrets.
The television quoted "Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Sergei Ryabkov, who said that the concerns were so great that Defence Minister Andrei Belousov contacted the US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin about the suspicions."
Austin: don't do it
Earlier this month, the phone rang at the Pentagon. Conversely, the caller conveyed that Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov "urgently needs to speak with Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin about the alleged Ukrainian operation." After this conversation, Austin called Kyiv and said: "If you’re thinking about doing something like this, don’t."
We talked about an operation on Russian territory, explained a military intelligence representative a few days later and added: Unfortunately, we cannot provide details yet. We sent a very serious warning, commented the Russian side.
The conversation was also commented on by the Russian side. Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, in a conversation with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on 12th July, sent the Pentagon chief a very serious warning about the possibility of uncontrolled escalation as a result of the actions of Kyiv and Washington, informed Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergei Ryabkov, quoted by TASS.
