UK, US involved in attack on Russia's Black Sea Fleet headquarters, Moscow claims

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Wednesday accused the UK and US of being involved in the Sept. 22 attack on Russia's Black Sea Fleet headquarters in the city of Sevastopol.

"There is not the slightest doubt that this attack was planned in advance using Western intelligence means, NATO satellite equipment, reconnaissance aircraft and was implemented with the filing and in close coordination with the American and British intelligence services," Zakharova said at a news conference in Moscow.

According to the spokeswoman, the goal of the attack was to "divert attention from the failed attempts of Ukraine's armed forces counteroffensive, intimidate people, (and) sow panic" in Russia.

Ukraine's Special Operations Forces on Monday announced that they were behind the attack on the Black Sea Fleet, claiming that 34 Russian officers, including the commander of the fleet, were killed in the strike.

The commander's death was later proven to be false when he appeared on Russian television several hours after Ukraine's claims.