LBCI

Separatist rhetoric, 'false-flag operation' fears stoke Ukraine tensions

Middle East

20-02-2022 | 01:01

Share

Share

Separatist rhetoric, 'false-flag operation' fears stoke Ukraine tensions

2^min

Pro-Russian separatists said on Saturday they had uncovered a plan by Kyiv to seize territory they control in eastern Ukraine by force, and paraded a man they said was a Ukrainian spy.

Authorities in the Ukrainian capital quickly dismissed the alleged plan as a fake and have shrugged off spy allegations in the past, but such reports are contributing to a rise in tension.

Fears are growing in Kyiv and the West that a false-flag operation - an act committed with the intent of pinning blame on another party - could be staged in eastern Ukraine and used as a pretext for Russia to attack.

Russia, which has massed forces near Ukraine, has denied plans to invade and dismissed talk of false-flag operations.

But it has said it is alarmed by the situation and separatist authorities in eastern Ukraine began a mass evacuation on Friday, citing fears of a Ukrainian offensive.

The Ukrainian authorities deny planning any kind of assault, and fear that attempts to create a pretext for a Russian invasion are growing.

REUTERS

Breaking Headlines

Operation

Fears

Ukraine

Tensions

Russia

Russian

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

117 Iranians flown out of Beirut on Russian aircraft: LBCI sources

2026-03-08

117 Iranians flown out of Beirut on Russian aircraft: LBCI sources

Drone hit cargo vessel in Qatari waters, sparking fire: Qatar defense ministry

Middle East News

2026-05-10

Drone hit cargo vessel in Qatari waters, sparking fire: Qatar defense ministry

Israeli army issues urgent evacuation warning for seven villages in southern Lebanon

2026-06-01

Israeli army issues urgent evacuation warning for seven villages in southern Lebanon

Bad Bunny meets Pope Leo in Madrid, but should have taken more photos

2026-06-09

Bad Bunny meets Pope Leo in Madrid, but should have taken more photos

Videos

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

2026-08-06

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

2026-07-24

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

2026-07-20

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

2026-06-26

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

2026-06-26

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

2026-06-26

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

2026-06-20

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

2026-06-19

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

2026-06-16

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

Ali Taher becomes focal point as Israel weighs wider operation in southern Lebanon

1

Ali Taher becomes focal point as Israel weighs wider operation in southern Lebanon

Political clash: A dispute over one speech reveals a deeper power struggle in Lebanon

2

Political clash: A dispute over one speech reveals a deeper power struggle in Lebanon

Former BDL governor Riad Salameh detained after questioning

3

Former BDL governor Riad Salameh detained after questioning

PM Salam: Israel’s actions in southern Lebanon violate international law

4

PM Salam: Israel’s actions in southern Lebanon violate international law

PM Salam, FM Al-Shaibani discuss enhancing Lebanese-Syrian cooperation

5

PM Salam, FM Al-Shaibani discuss enhancing Lebanese-Syrian cooperation

Solar eclipse plunges large swathe of Spain into total darkness

6

Solar eclipse plunges large swathe of Spain into total darkness

Lebanon's defense minister apologizes to martyrs' families, vows to defend army's voice

7

Lebanon's defense minister apologizes to martyrs' families, vows to defend army's voice

Lebanon presidency denies media reports on Aoun-Trump meeting

8

Lebanon presidency denies media reports on Aoun-Trump meeting

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More