International
U.K. accuses Russia of scheming to install a pro-Kremlin government in Ukraine
The British government on Saturday accused Russia of organizing a plot to install a pro-Moscow government in Ukraine, as the Kremlin masses troops and materiel near the Ukrainian border in what Western officials fear is an impending military assault on the neighboring nation.
The U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office gave relatively little information about the intelligence unveiled Saturday other than to say that the Russian government was considering trying to make a Russia-leaning former member of Ukraine’s parliament, Yevhen Murayev, the country’s new leader.
“The information being released today shines a light on the extent of Russian activity designed to subvert Ukraine, and is an insight into Kremlin thinking,” U.K. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said in a statement, calling on Russia to de-escalate and pursue a path of diplomacy.
“As the U.K. and our partners have said repeatedly, any Russian military incursion into Ukraine would be a massive strategic mistake with severe costs,” Truss said.
British authorities also said they had information showing how Russia’s intelligence services maintain links with numerous former Ukrainian politicians. Some of those former Ukrainian politicians are in contact with Russian intelligence officers planning the attack on Ukraine, the British government said.
The Russian Foreign Ministry denied the allegations in a Twitter statement, saying the British announcement was evidence that NATO countries, “led by the Anglo-Saxons,” are escalating tensions around Ukraine.
“We call on the British Foreign Office to stop its provocative activities and focus on studying the history of the Tatar-Mongol yoke,” the Russian Foreign Ministry added.
In comments to the U.K.’s Daily Telegraph, Murayev, the owner of a pro-Russian television channel in Ukraine, said he was amused by the allegations.
“I have a hard time digesting stupidity and nonsense: Maybe someone wants to shut down yet another independent TV channel,” he said in a series of text messages, according to the Telegraph.
READ ALSO:
- Subsidy removal: TUC directs state chapters to mobilise for nationwide strike
- How my neighbour abducted, killed my 8-yr-old daughter after paying N3m ransom — Zaria man
- AFCON: COVID Hits Tunisian Camp, Key Players To Miss Clash Against Nigeria
“As someone who has been under Russian sanctions for four years, barred from Russia as a national security threat and whose father got his assets frozen in Russia, I find it hard to comment on the Foreign Office’s statement,” he added.
Britain also named four former associates of ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych as examples of former politicians in contact with Russian intelligence but did not say whether those four were involved directly in the plot to install Murayev.
Yanukovych fled Ukraine for Russia in 2014 as a pro-Western uprising on Kyiv’s central square, known as the Maidan, ushered in a Europe-friendly government. Russia reacted by annexing Crimea from Ukraine and fueling a separatist war in the country’s east.
The four former associates that the British government named as contacts of Russian intelligence are former Ukrainian prime minister Mykola Azarov, former first deputy prime minister Serhiy Arbuzov, former Yanukovych chief of staff Andriy Klyuyev and former deputy head of the Ukrainian National Security Council Vladimir Sivkovich.
The four men couldn’t immediately be reached for comment. The British government made the accusations in a statement released at 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, after it was already the middle of the night farther east.
Rather than attempting an overt overthrow of the pro-Western government in Kyiv, analysts suspect that if Putin attempted a coup, he would instead seek to encourage the collapse of the current government and covertly promote a pro-Russian Ukrainian politician who would have more local credibility. The British government’s announcement was an attempt to thwart that activity.
“The Russians have a plan and we clearly think it’s worth people knowing about it,” said a Western official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence matters. “Calling it out takes away the element of surprise and also reduces the chances of Russia succeeding if they actually attempt it.”
“When the Russians attempt this and say ‘this is an independent Ukrainian political movement,’ we can say ‘no, that’s not true, this is the work of your intelligence apparatus which we’ve been warning about,’ ” the official said.
U.S. officials said they have no reason to doubt the British intelligence.
“This kind of plotting is deeply concerning,” White House National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne said in a statement. “The Ukrainian people have the sovereign right to determine their own future, and we stand with our democratically-elected partners in Ukraine.”
The British government’s announcement came two days after the U.S. Treasury sanctioned a group of current and former Ukrainian officials, accusing some of them of helping Russia lay the groundwork to install a Moscow-friendly government in Ukraine.
“Russia has directed its intelligence services to recruit current and former Ukrainian government officials to prepare to take over the government of Ukraine and to control Ukraine’s critical infrastructure with an occupying Russian force,” the Treasury Department said.
Among the people Treasury sanctioned on Thursday was Sivkovich, one of the former Ukrainian officials the British government accused of having contacts with Russian intelligence.
In its sanctions announcement, Treasury accused Sivkovich of working with “Russian intelligence actors” to build support for Ukraine to officially cede Crimea to Russia in exchange for a drawdown in Donbas, where Russia has fueled a separatist war against Ukrainian forces.
Ukrainian officials were surprised by the idea that a Russian plot would seek to install Murayev, a relatively marginal figure in Ukrainian politics who was sanctioned by Russia in 2018, as the country’s new leader.
On his Facebook page, Murayev posted an image of himself edited into a James Bond “Skyfall” logo, appearing to poke fun at the idea that he was the subject of an international espionage gambit.
Murayev is from Ukraine’s eastern Kharkiv region, a Russian-speaking part of the country north of Donbas. He is a former member of Yanukovych’s Party of Regions and other Russia-leaning political factions that emerged after the party’s implosion in 2014.
Murayev ran for Ukraine’s president in 2019 but dropped out of the race.
msn.com
International
Doctor Charged With Sexually Assaulting 38 Patients in West Midlands Hospitals
Doctor Charged With Sexually Assaulting 38 Patients in West Midlands Hospitals
A 38-year-old doctor, Nathaniel John Spencer, from Quinton, Birmingham, has been formally charged with multiple sexual offenses involving 38 patients across major West Midlands hospitals, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced on Friday.
According to the CPS, Spencer faces 15 counts of sexual assault, 17 counts of assault by penetration, nine counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, three counts of assault of a child under 13 by penetration, and one count of attempted assault by penetration.
The charges follow what authorities described as a “detailed and complex investigation” carried out by the Public Protection Unit into reported offenses at Royal Stoke University Hospital in Stoke-on-Trent and Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley. The alleged incidents took place between 2017 and 2021.
Spencer is expected to appear before the North Staffordshire Justice Centre on January 20, 2026.
READ ALSO:
- Shettima Inaugurates Multi-Million Naira Juma’at Mosque in Gumel
- Police Launch Special Enforcement Team to Enforce Tinubu’s Ban on VIP Escorts
- Akpabio denies filing new ₦200bn lawsuit against Natasha
Both the CPS and Staffordshire Police declined to provide additional details regarding the number of children involved, citing the sensitive and ongoing nature of the case.
The CPS confirmed that the decision to prosecute was reached after extensive evidence review. In the meantime, Spencer has been suspended from medical practice in the UK pending further developments.
Employment records show he worked as a resident doctor (junior doctor) at the University Hospitals of North Midlands (UHNM) NHS Trust from August 2017 to August 2020, before moving to The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, where he served from August 2020 to April 2021.
Both NHS trusts have opened dedicated helplines for patients who may have concerns about their care.
Dr. Paul Hudson, Operational Medical Director of The Dudley Group, said the allegations were “deeply distressing” for patients, staff, and the wider community, adding that the trust had cooperated fully with police investigations.
UHNM also stated that it could not comment further due to the ongoing criminal proceedings but reassured the public that patient safety remains its highest priority.
The General Medical Council (GMC) confirmed that Spencer has been suspended while it investigates his fitness to practise, noting that the disciplinary process will resume once the criminal case concludes.
Doctor Charged With Sexually Assaulting 38 Patients in West Midlands Hospitals
International
Meta to Block Under-16s from Instagram, Facebook, Threads ahead of Australia’s World-First Youth Social Media Ban
Meta to Block Under-16s from Instagram, Facebook, Threads ahead of Australia’s World-First Youth Social Media Ban
Meta announced on Thursday that it will begin removing under-16 users in Australia from Instagram, Threads, and Facebook, ahead of the country’s pioneering youth social media ban. Australia’s law, which also affects TikTok and YouTube, comes into effect on December 10 and requires platforms to block underage users or face fines of AUS$49.5 million (US$32 million) for failing to take “reasonable steps” to comply.
A Meta spokesperson said the company is working to remove all users believed to be under 16 by the deadline. Young users will be able to download and save their online histories, and upon turning 16, regain access with their content fully restored.
The law is expected to impact hundreds of thousands of Australian adolescents, with Instagram alone reporting roughly 350,000 users aged 13 to 15. Platforms such as Roblox, Pinterest, and WhatsApp are currently exempt, though the exemption list is under review.
READ ALSO:
- Five Rivers State University Students Rescued from Kidnappers in Emohua
- Ember-months safety: Carloha, FRSC intensify campaign against distracted driving
- NPA Chairman Adeyeye Alleges Opposition Behind Nigeria’s Insecurity, Backs Tinubu Measures
While committing to compliance, Meta urged app stores to take responsibility for age verification and parental approval at download, arguing this would reduce repeated verification across multiple apps and ensure teens remain in age-appropriate experiences.
YouTube has criticized the law, claiming it could make under-16s less safe by removing safety filters if they access the site without an account. Australia’s Communications Minister Anika Wells dismissed this as “weird,” noting that the law aims to protect teens from harmful algorithm-driven content that can negatively affect self-esteem.
The law has faced legal challenges. The Digital Freedom Project has launched a High Court case, arguing the ban infringes on freedom of speech. Authorities also anticipate attempts by teens to bypass the restrictions using fake IDs or AI tools.
Australia’s ban is drawing global attention as other countries consider similar measures. Malaysia plans to block children under 16 from social media next year, while New Zealand is preparing to introduce a similar law.
Meta to Block Under-16s from Instagram, Facebook, Threads ahead of Australia’s World-First Youth Social Media Ban
International
Putin Warns Europe: Russia Ready to Fight as Peace Talks Over Ukraine Continue
Putin Warns Europe: Russia Ready to Fight as Peace Talks Over Ukraine Continue
Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a stern warning to Europe, declaring that demands for an end to the war in Ukraine on terms favorable to Kyiv are “not acceptable.” Speaking in Moscow on Tuesday, Putin insisted that while Russia does not seek conflict with Europe, it is ready to fight if challenged.
Putin accused European nations of withdrawing from the peace process and lacking a genuine diplomatic agenda, claiming that European actions are hindering U.S.-led negotiations aimed at resolving the war.
“We are not going to fight with Europe, but if Europe wants to fight with us, we are ready right now,” he said.
READ ALSO:
- Otti Holds High-Level Talks with Tinubu Over IPOB Leader Nnamdi Kanu
- Community Raises Alarm Over Fatal Accidents on Odejayi–Aromonlaran Road, Calls for Urgent Safety Measures
- Lagos to Phase Out Korope Buses as Lekki–Epe Bus Reform Scheme Kicks Off December 8
The remarks came ahead of a scheduled meeting with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss an amended peace plan for Ukraine, following criticism that the original 28-point draft was overly favorable to Russia. Sources indicate that the updated proposals focus on territorial disputes, security guarantees, and financial matters, including the use of frozen Russian assets, though full details have not been disclosed.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the peace plan as a potential avenue to end the war but stressed that territorial issues and financial guarantees must be resolved, alongside robust security assurances to prevent further Russian aggression.
Despite diplomatic efforts, fighting continues in eastern Ukraine, with Pokrovsk witnessing clashes despite Russian claims of control. Zelenskyy is currently in Ireland, meeting with President Catherine Connolly and Prime Minister Micheál Martin, who announced €125 million in aid for Ukraine, including non-lethal military support and energy assistance, reaffirming solidarity as the conflict enters a critical phase.
Meanwhile, the U.S. delegation in Russia, including Witkoff and Jared Kushner, toured Moscow ahead of the talks. The Kremlin has indicated that discussions will continue “as long as it takes” to achieve progress, underscoring the high stakes of ongoing Ukraine peace negotiations.
This development highlights escalating tensions between Russia and Europe while international stakeholders push for a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing Ukraine war.
Putin Warns Europe: Russia Ready to Fight as Peace Talks Over Ukraine Continue
-
News3 days agoDefence Minister Unveils New Security Strategy, Orders Troops to Shoot Armed Bandits on Sight
-
metro3 days agoTeam Justice accuses authorities of attempting to exclude Mohbad’s father from DNA test process
-
International3 days agoMeta to Block Under-16s from Instagram, Facebook, Threads ahead of Australia’s World-First Youth Social Media Ban
-
metro3 days agoSenate Launches Emergency Probe into Widespread Lead Poisoning in Ogijo, Lagos/Ogun
-
metro3 days agoShocking confession: Boyfriend admits luring FRSC officer, child to death in Osun ritual murder
-
News3 days agoBREAKING: Tinubu Sends Fresh Ambassadorial Nominations to Senate, Names Ibas, Ita Enang, Dambazau
-
News3 days agoEmber-months safety: Carloha, FRSC intensify campaign against distracted driving
-
Sports24 hours ago2026 FIFA World Cup Draw: England Draw Croatia as Brazil Face Morocco in Tournament Opener