Russia is believed to be preparing a wave of attacks on its cities as part of an FSB-led false flag operation that it will blame Ukraine for in order to justify a general mobilization of troops, the exiled Russian politician warned.
Ilya Ponomarev, 46, said the Russian security service was preparing to attack chemical plants in Russia that would kill thousands of civilians.
The terrorist operations will be blamed on Ukrainian saboteurs, said Ponomarev, who eight years ago was the only Russian politician to vote against Vladimir Putin’s annexation of Crimea.
Ponomarev said the story, leaked by a security source, would be used to justify a general mobilization to compensate for the huge losses of Russian troops during their barbaric invasion of Ukraine.
A senior NATO military officer said yesterday that the alliance estimated Russia had lost between 30,000 and 40,000 people on the battlefield in Ukraine during the first month of the war, including between 7,000 and 15,000 killed.
Ilya Ponomarev, 46, said the Russian security service was preparing to attack chemical plants in Russia, killing hundreds of civilians.
The politician said the FSB plans to target chemical and petrochemical plants in fake attacks, with Voskresensk Mineral Fertilizers (pictured), Europe’s largest producer of phosphate-based fertilizers, among its priority targets.
Despite the mobilization of Russian troops numbering between 150,000 and 200,000, Moscow did not expect anything but weak resistance from Ukrainian troops, probably due to Russian intelligence failures.
“After the failure of the blitzkrieg in Ukraine, Moscow faced the problem of an acute shortage of personnel to compensate for the losses incurred,” Ponomarev said.
“At the same time, the leadership of the state has repeatedly insisted that general mobilization will not be introduced.
“In order to win back on this issue, a very weighty pretext is needed: the death of thousands of civilians, which can be blamed on Ukraine.”
It was an echo of the alleged 1999 Russian apartment block bombings that sparked the Second Chechen War and also brought Putin to the Kremlin.
The politician said that the FSB plans to attack chemical and oil refineries under a false flag, among the priority targets are Voskresensky Mineral Fertilizers, Europe’s largest producer of phosphate fertilizers, and the Moscow oil refinery in Kapotnya.
Despite the mobilization of Russian troops numbering between 150,000 and 200,000, Moscow did not expect anything but weak resistance from Ukrainian troops, probably due to Russian intelligence failures. Pictured: A charred Russian tank on the front line in the Kiev region on March 20.
Ponomarev said: “Morning February, a source close to Russian law enforcement agencies said. [Russian anti-war group] that the Federal Security Service [FSB] prepares an explosion at a chemical or oil refinery near Moscow or another large Russian city in such a way that the wind carries poisonous substances to residential areas.
“As a result, hundreds, and possibly thousands of people should die.
“It is planned to blame Ukrainian saboteurs for this.”
He stated: “More than 20 enterprises are considered saboteurs. [targets]but the chemical plant “Voskresensk Mineral Fertilizers” and the Moscow oil refinery in Kapotnya are the priorities.
“Explosions at these enterprises located in residential areas could lead to numerous human casualties.
“In addition, both of these sites are located southeast of the center of the Russian capital, and with a southeast wind, a poisonous cloud could cover the entire city.”
The FSB plans to attack chemical and oil refineries in fake attacks, including the Moscow oil refinery in Kapotnya.
He warned: “Explosions are also possible in public places, in particular, in the subway network.
“Different options are being worked out, and not necessarily Muscovites will become victims of the planned terrorist attack.
Pomomarev said: “If you live in a large Russian city or near potentially dangerous facilities and you have the opportunity to travel, for example, to a village, we strongly recommend that you do just that.
“We also do not recommend using the metro during rush hours and visiting crowded places.
“Remember, Putin and his entourage will do everything to stay in power.”
The ex-deputy left Russia for exile in Ukraine after he single-handedly voted against the annexation of Crimea in the Russian parliament, which caused universal admiration in the West.
A technology entrepreneur, he remains in exile and opposes the war in Ukraine.
His mother was Roman Abramovich’s assistant when he was a deputy.
He was a former vice president of the oil company Yukos.