Russian intelligence service: Ukraine is preparing to launch a new attack

ILLUSTRATION UNSPLASH/Sonia Dauer

JAKARTA - The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) stated that the Ukrainian armed forces are preparing to launch a new terrorist attack in the Russian rear.

"The Ukrainian armed forces command is preparing to launch a series of new terrorist attacks against Russian rear areas," the SVR said in a statement released on Tuesday, May 19.

Kyiv is said to launch drones towards Russia from the territory of the Baltic states, which will shorten the travel time and increase the effectiveness of the attack.

"The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service reports that, based on information received by the SVR, the (Vladimir) Zelensky regime aims to show in every way to ideological and financial supporters in Europe that the Ukrainian armed forces still have combat potential and the ability to damage the Russian economy," the statement said.

Although Latvia was concerned that it could be the target of a Russian counterattack, Ukraine is said to have succeeded in convincing the Latvian government to approve the operation on the grounds that it was impossible to determine the exact location of the missile launchers.

The Russian intelligence agency added that the coordinates of the decision-making center in Latvia are well known. Latvia's membership in NATO will also not exempt those who help terrorist acts from retaliation.