U.S., U.K., Planning Terrorist Attacks on Russian Bases in Syria, Moscow Claims

Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service has accused the United States and the United Kingdom of plotting terrorist attacks on Russian military bases in Syria.

According to Russian media reports, the agency pointed to evidence of plans by the U.S. and U.K. to disrupt stabilization efforts in Syria. The service suggests that these provocations aim to pressure Russia to remove its military presence, which has been a point of contention in the region. It is claimed that the U.S.-led coalition is using drone attacks by Islamic State (ISIS) field commanders against Russian bases, an act allegedly coordinated with external actors.

In a broader context, the U.S. Air Force, operating under the guise of counter-ISIS efforts, is said to be maintaining control over oil-rich areas east of the Euphrates River, refusing to return these territories to Syrian control. This has added another layer of tension, as Syria’s government has long sought the return of these territories.

The accusations come in the wake of an investigation into the recent sinking of the Russian cargo ship Ursa Major in the Mediterranean. The ship, owned by Oboronlogistika, a company linked to Russia’s defense ministry, was severely damaged after explosions struck its starboard side. Experts have pointed to a 50x50 cm hole in the ship’s side, which shows signs of an external explosive device. The blast is believed to have been caused by a torpedo launched from semi-submersible unmanned boats. Russian sources claim that U.S. surveillance, including a P-8A Poseidon anti-submarine aircraft, was present near the ship before the explosion, with suggestions that the U.S. may have been involved in orchestrating the attack.

Further escalating tensions, Russia previously accused the U.S. of involvement in the 2022 attacks on the Nord Stream gas pipelines. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov suggested that the attacks, which resulted in significant damage to the pipelines under the Baltic Sea, were ordered by the highest levels of U.S. leadership. The blasts, which occurred in September 2022, ruptured three of the four pipeline lines and have been attributed to sabotage, although no group has claimed responsibility for the explosions.