Russia says Ukraine is preparing a provocation in the Baltic Sea.

According to RIA Novosti, Russia's foreign intelligence agency (SVR) stated on February 11 that Ukrainian special services, with Western support, are preparing a series of provocative actions against Russia, including blowing up a foreign ship in the Baltic Sea.

"Specifically, the proposed scenario involves using Russian-made mines that Ukraine possesses to bomb a foreign vessel in the Baltic Sea. Moscow would then be held responsible," the statement said.

According to calculations by Western and Ukrainian intelligence agencies, this would prompt NATO to decide to close Russia's access to the Baltic Sea on the grounds of ensuring the safety of maritime transport.

The SVR clarified that the goal of this planned provocation was to draw the North Atlantic Alliance into a direct armed conflict with Russia.

In addition, Ukraine, along with European intelligence agencies, is preparing attacks on representatives of Russia's non-systemic opposition and businessmen who have evaded the law and are living abroad.

"This program is expected to attract people from Asian and Middle Eastern countries to participate in this Baltic attack scenario. The reward is up to $20,000," the Russian foreign intelligence agency said.

The agency noted that a condition for the perpetrators, if caught, is that they must blame Russian special services, who are believed to have directed the preparation of the attacks.

The SVR added that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his team are capable of any provocative action to save themselves. They are not only hindering the start of the conflict resolution process but are also prepared to take the war far beyond Ukraine's borders.