Kremlin plans to accuse Kyiv of preparing several terrorist attacks on Russia's territory - ISW

The American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reports.

"Most likely, Russia intensified its information operation to falsely present Ukraine as a terrorist state in order to create informational conditions to counter attempts to recognize Russia as a terrorist state" - the document says.

Several Russian sources made statements about the detention of Ukrainian citizens by employees of Russian Federal Security Service for allegedly preparing "terrorist attacks" in Sverdlovsk, Moscow and Bryansk regions on October 12.

Russian bloggers intensified their rhetoric of accusing Ukraine of terrorism. They intensified calls for Russian authorities to strengthen "counter-intelligence" and officially recognize Ukraine as a terrorist state.

The document explains that such Russian claims are consistent with a broader attempt to create information conditions to respond to Ukraine's attempts to officially recognize Russia as a terrorist state, especially after recent mass attacks on critical infrastructure and residential areas.

 "Russian authorities can also create conditions for attacks against Russia under a false flag, which qualify as terrorist acts carried out by Ukraine" - the Institute for the Study of War adds.

This tactic is a part of Russian way of waging war and is likely to be used regardless of information conditions.