Ukraine has uncovered a plot to overthrow the government with the help of Russia, says the President

Ukraine’s prime minister says intelligence agencies have revealed a Russian-backed plot to overthrow the government, with international concerns that Moscow is preparing for a major offensive.

Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters on Friday that intelligence agencies had obtained video recordings of unnamed Russians and Ukrainians who said they were in talks to oust him on Wednesday or Thursday.

Zelensky did not provide evidence to substantiate his claim, but added that the alleged conspirators had discussed the “billions of dollars” raises and persuaded Ukraine’s richest oligarch to run for office.

Fears of a return to open war in a long-running conflict on the eastern border of Ukraine and Russia has risen in recent weeks as the US warns its allies of its tactics that show “great potential” for the Russian military. part of the border could be the basis for a deep-seated invasion, following the Moscow capture of Crimea in 2014.

Ukraine thinks that Russia abounds 114,000 troops north, east and south of the Donbas, a predominantly Russian-speaking region in remote parts of the country, where Russian-backed separatists have been fighting government troops since the destruction of western Kyiv eight years ago.

Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged last week that he was pleased that the Kremlin’s “warnings” about the “red lines” – that Moscow would not accept western military support in Ukraine or a Nato-allied state – were circulating in the west. He also said that the Western powers are using Ukraine in their efforts against Moscow by providing funding for its troops and conducting “initiative” exercises near the Russian border.

Zelensky said Ukrainian troops were “ready to go anywhere” and urged Putin to stay away from the alleged plot.

“The president of the Russian Federation, too, it seems to me, should openly say ‘we are not ready’. . .[and]”Russia is not preparing for a complete invasion of Ukraine,” Zelensky said.

The Kremlin has refused to participate in the so-called terrorist attacks. Dmitry Peskov, Putin’s spokesman, told reporters that Russia “has no ideas” and “does not do things like this”, according to Interfax.

Zelensky said that Akhmetov’s “group” was trying to “pull him” into the plot. He declined to comment on Akhmetov directly but said there were drawings that could affect the oligarch.

“This is not only intellectual, but also logical, where representatives from Ukraine, so to speak, discuss the participation of Rinat Akhmetov in the Ukrainian d’état with Russian representatives,” Zelensky said.

“I think [Akhmetov] I probably do not know about this, “added the President.” I call Rinat Akhmetov [my office] to hear what you have to say. ”

Akhmetov is a metal and economic powerhouse who once sold former Russian president Viktor Yanukovich but lost his fortune about $ 7.5bn after Moscow-backed separatists seized most of his wealth in the Donbas.

He challenged Zelensky’s claims. “The allegations made by Volodymyr Zelensky in an attempt to lure me into a frenzy are outright lies… .

“I will continue to defend the liberal state of Ukraine….

The two men are facing a growing controversy over Zelensky’s efforts to curb excessive attraction. The Oligarchs of Ukraine based on politics and government agreements.

Akhmetov’s TV show praised Zelensky completely after winning the 2019 elections but he has changed his mind in recent weeks.

Zelensky said Friday that Akhmetov’s radio broadcasts “have no right to misrepresent our people”. He also lashed out at Akhmetov’s energy companies, saying they were not working with the government to get more coal oil and other fuels to curb power outages this winter.

Akhmetov’s companies have denied the allegations and say they have acquired important coal mines, including state-owned thermoelectric generators, after Russia banned shipments.