Maria Kiselyova and Tom Balmforth

MOSCOW (Reuters), – Pro-Russian separatists claimed on Saturday that they discovered a plan from Kyiv for seizing territory in Eastern Ukraine. They paraded a man they called a Ukrainian spy.

Officials in Ukraine quickly dismissed the plan and said it was a ruse. While they had previously shrugged off claims of spying, these reports have contributed to increased tension.

There are increasing fears in Kyiv, the West and that Russia could stage a fake-flag attack in Ukraine to justify its aggression.

Russia has gathered forces in Ukraine and has rejected plans for invasion.

It has stated that it is concerned by the current situation. Separatist authorities in east Ukraine started a massive evacuation Friday due to fears about a Ukrainian offensive.

Ukrainian officials deny any plans for an attack, but there is growing concern that Russians may be trying to invade Ukraine.

According to separatists of Donetsk People’s Republic, they claimed to have intercepted an operation to “purge”, a pro-Russian-speaking region in the area. This was part of a five-day operation that aimed to forcefully take over the entire region.

Interview broadcast by Russia’s State Channel One TV channel. A man the separatists stated they had captured in Donetsk claimed he had assisted Ukraine to blow up the jeep of a rebel commander the previous night and that he had been smuggling weapons and explosives.

He was seen saying, “I was hired in 2018”.

According to him, his handler told him not to go near tall blocks of apartments in Donetsk as it could be hit by artillery. He was at risk of being shot and killed.

‘HOSTILE & INFLAMMATORY’

Russian-backed rebels took control of a large part of east Ukraine. Russia annexed Crimea after Ukrainian protests overthrew the pro-Russian leader. Kyiv claims that more than 14,000 people were killed during the eastern conflict.

According to local authorities, a vehicle with explosives found in the Luhansk region was discovered parked along a road that is being used to evacuate residents to Russia.

Officials in the area also claimed explosions at a nearby gas station and pipeline had occurred the night before. They described the incidents as acts of sabotage and said they were likely caused by Ukraine.

Two shells were also reported by Russia’s FSB security agency as hitting Russian territory at the border. According to the report, one of them struck Rostov’s building and no injuries were reported.

Russia was accused by the Ukrainian military of creating fake photographs of shells to create an appearance that they are Ukrainian. The army claimed that Russian mercenaries were in Ukraine, separatist-held east Ukraine, to cause provocations with Russian special forces.

Helga Schamid (secretariat general, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) was concerned by the increase in rhetoric. Zbigniew Rau, Polish Foreign Minister, expressed her concern on Friday.

They said that they deplore disinformation spreading about an impending military action by the Ukrainian government forces. This critically affects civilian populations in conflict zones.”

“The increasingly hostile rhetoric that we hear lately undermines our efforts to promote peace, stability, security, as well as increasing the likelihood of confrontation and escalated violence.” This must end.

Moscow expressed shock at the statements and asked about the impartiality.