Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has claimed that secret services from several NATO member states, along with Ukrainian counterparts, are preparing a false-flag chemical weapons attack in Syria.
The goal of the alleged provocation is to frame Moscow and its ally, Damascus, according to the SVR.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Russian spy agency asserted that the staged attack would involve cooperation between Western intelligence services and terrorist groups operating in Syria’s Idlib province.
The alleged operation aims to falsely accuse the Syrian army and Russian military forces of using chemical weapons, which would then be used to discredit both countries at international forums such as the UN and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
The SVR also suggested that the civil defense organisation White Helmets could play a role in fabricating evidence.
The spy agency accused the group of collaborating with British intelligence to produce staged videos and fake eyewitness accounts.
According to the Russian intelligence service, these materials would be used to support the false narrative and would be submitted to international bodies to undermine Syria and Russia.
The alleged provocation is expected to coincide with ongoing airstrikes by Syrian and Russian forces against terrorist groups in the region.
Moscow has been a long-time supporter of the Syrian government in its fight against insurgents.
