Moscow: Russia claims to have thwarted a Ukrainian-British scheme aimed at hijacking Russian fighter jets. Russian state media reported that its national intelligence service successfully intercepted a plan orchestrated by Ukrainian and British operatives to entice Russian pilots into defecting with a MiG-31 fighter jet equipped with a hypersonic missile.
According to Thai News Agency, the Federal Security Service (FSB) of Russia revealed that the plot, which reportedly cost $3 million, was intended to lure Russian pilots into flying MiG-31 fighter jets to a NATO base located in Constanta, Romania. Once there, the jets were to be downed by air defenses. Russian state television broadcasted messages and audio recordings allegedly from a man linked to Ukrainian and British intelligence, offering a Russian pilot $3 million and new citizenship in exchange for flying the MiG-31 to Europe.
The MiG-31 is notable for its ability to carry the Kinzhal, a hypersonic ballistic missile. This missile is reported by Russia to have the capability to alter its trajectory mid-flight, posing a challenge for air defense systems in tracking and intercepting it.
The Russian government has accused Britain of exacerbating the conflict in Ukraine, alleging that British intelligence supports Ukraine in executing operations within Russian borders. In response, Britain has accused Russian intelligence of attempting to sow disorder across Britain and Europe with the objective of undermining democratic institutions.