Kyiv plotting provocation against OSCE - LPR
LUHANSK. June 24 (Interfax) - Ukrainian security agencies are preparing provocations against the staff of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Special Monitoring Mission (OSCE SMM) on the border with Crimea, Alexander Basov, deputy minister of state security in the self-proclaimed Luhansk people's republic (LPR), said.
"The Ministry of State Security of the Luhansk people's republic has obtained intelligence about the Ukrainian security services planning provocations against OSCE international observers on the border with Crimea," Basov told journalists on Saturday.
"The assault on Monitoring Mission representatives, among whom are Hans Peter Etter and Paul McCullough, is being planned near the Kalanchak, Chaplynka and Chongar checkpoints," Basov said.
"The ministry also has information a number of counter-intelligence officers from the Ukrainian Security Service's Fifth Directorate, who are currently at these checkpoints, being involved in this provocation," Basov said.
This is "a clear attempt to discredit Russia, intimidate the OSCE mission staff and thus push towards introducing an international armed mission on the dividing line," the LPR representative said.