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Fearing Russia marching through, civilians are being trained in Kiev to fight
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The Foreign Office in London wants very precise information about Russia's plans in Ukraine: President Putin is planning the invasion and installing a government he likes.
Britain has now warned Russia of the consequences.
"There will be very serious consequences if Russia takes this step," Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab told Sky News on Sunday.
The Foreign Office in London had previously said the Kremlin wanted to impose a pro-Russian leadership in Ukraine and that Russian intelligence services were in contact with several former Ukrainian politicians as part of invasion plans.
The government in Moscow rejected the British government's statements as "false information".
Rather, Britain and NATO would escalate tensions.
In Ukraine, the British data were evaluated differently.
"One should take this information as seriously as possible," said Mykhailo Podoliak, an adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
He admitted doubts among Ukrainians as to whether ex-MP Yevhen Murayev, named by the British Foreign Office as a candidate for the leadership of a puppet government, would come into question.
This is a “too ridiculous figure”.
But Russia has previously supported minor figures in leadership positions in annexed Crimea and separatist-held Donbass.
"It's not very logical"
"We will not tolerate the Kremlin's plot to install a pro-Russian leadership in Ukraine," British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss tweeted.
Moscow knew that a military invasion would be a major strategic mistake and that the UK and its partners would exact a heavy price on Russia.
Russia has massed around 100,000 soldiers on the border with Ukraine.
Moscow rejects the accusation that it is preparing an invasion and at the same time is demanding security guarantees from NATO.
The West rejects this and has declared that an invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops would have serious political and economic consequences.
US National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne said this type of conspiracy is of great concern.
The Ukrainian people have the sovereign right to determine their own future.
The US stands by its democratically elected partner in Ukraine.
muk/Reuters