Latest: British Ministry of Defense has hit back against the allegations.
– To cover up its disastrous handling of the illegal occupation of Ukraine, the Russian Ministry of Defense is resorting to false claims of epic proportions. A spokesman for the British Ministry of Defense says the manufactured story says more about what’s going on in the Russian government than it does about the West.
Earlier on Saturday, lieutenant colonel and chief editor Geir Hågen Karlsen said Russia’s allegations were not credible.
– Carlson tells NTB that accusing others of doing things they are involved in or suspected of doing is not an unknown strategy.
The same British naval unit behind the attack on Nord Stream helped Ukraine prepare for Saturday’s drone strike in Crimea, according to allegations by Russia’s Defense Ministry. No evidence was presented for any of the allegations.
Explanation: Lt. Col. Keir Hagen Carlson says Russia accuses them of doing things they suspect. Photo: Christian Buge Hart / Armed Forces
See more
– The Ukrainians have shown many times that they can carry out drone and missile attacks without the help of others, Carlson says.
He points to the U.S. possessing chemical and biological laboratories and Ukraine preparing to use dirty, radioactive bombs as examples of his rejection of earlier Russian allegations.
– When it comes to Nord Stream, no one will believe the story that the British are behind the attack. Carlson says that the first accusations that the British were operating from Olavsvern in Norway came early.
Emissions: Image shows emissions after explosions in the Nord Stream 2 pipeline in September. Photo: Swedish Coast Guard / AP / NT
See more
Allegations without evidence
The same British naval unit behind the attack on Nord Stream helped Ukraine prepare for Saturday’s drone strike in Crimea, according to allegations by Russia’s Defense Ministry. No evidence was presented for any of the allegations.
– The Ukrainians have shown many times that they can carry out drone and missile attacks without the help of others, Carlson says.
– I think it’s part of a big game by the Russians to divert attention from massive attacks on civilians in Ukraine, the expert says.
He says the Russian allegations have multiple target groups.
– All politics is local, so the most important target group is inside Russia to legitimize the war there. It’s becoming less popular, so the accusations they can level at the West and everyone they look up to can help rally support at home, says Carlson.
– Another target group is other countries like China, India and African countries. Today, those who are outspoken critics of Russia have steered clear of direct war. A third target group is fringe groups in the West who still support Russia, he says.
Gas pipeline: The sun rises behind one of the facilities connected to the Nord Stream 1 pipeline in Lubmin, Germany. Photo: Markus Schreiber/AP/NTB
See more
– Generate campaign points from attacks
He explains the biggest explanation for the drone strike in Crimea — Russia came out early and admitted a ship was damaged — as follows:
– On the one hand, it is good to publicize a massive attack to legitimize what they are doing, on the other hand, it cannot be denied if there are many pictures of fires and explosions on social media. There are no other options but to blame the Ukrainians and the British.
Karlsson says Ukraine will continue such attacks in Crimea and will need longer-range missiles and drones from the West.
– The Ukrainians are trying to shift the war to the Russian side, both to make it harder for the Russians to fight the war, but also to convince the Russian people that this is a real war. Karlsson says the Ukrainians are betting on a double effect, a direct military effect and an indirect political effect.
“Music geek. Coffee lover. Devoted food scholar. Web buff. Passionate internet guru.”
