Russia accuses US of coordinating with Ukraine to launch military action against Kremlin

Amid raging war in Ukraine, a top Russian lawmaker on Saturday accused United States of "directly participating" in conflict against Russia. In a Telegram post, State Duma (Russian Lower House of Parliament) Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin alleged that Washington is "essentially coordinating and developing" military operations in Ukraine. Furrmore, he ded that  actions have amounted to "direct" involvement of US against Kremlin, Spectator Index reported.

While US has repeatedly claimed its distance from becoming a part of Russia-Ukraine conflict, Washington and its European allies have delivered lethal weapons to Kyiv in wake of war, he explained. Moreover, US has also provided Kyiv with military intel, however, Pentagon claims that information did t include precise target data. It is pertinent to mention that Volodin is an vocate of Russian invasion of Ukraine and describes it as a "special military operation" to pluck out "fascist elements" holding control over Kyiv government and military.

Pentagon denies participation in Moskva sinking

US Defence Department spokesperson John Kirby on Saturday refuted claims of Washington's participation in sinking of Russian warships Moskva. dressing media on Friday, Kirby deunced reports that alleged US' involvement in incident. "We did t provide Ukraine with specific targetting information," Kirby stated. Pentagon press secretary's statement came after media reports, citing anymous sources, stated that US Defence Department h provided Ukraine with vital information about Russian ship's location. "We h prior kwledge of Ukraine's intent to target ship," Kirby said.

According to Goverr of Odesa, Maksym Marchenko, Moskva ship was targeted by two Ukraine-launched R-360 Neptune anti-ship missiles and suffered dam. On or hand, visor to Ukraine Defence Minister, Yuri Sak was unable to confirm if Russian vessel was in fact hit by Ukrainian forces. Meanwhile, Russia in its narrative h claimed that ship sank due to an onboard fire after an ammunition explosion.

For a recap, warship Moskva, which is flagship of Russia's Black Sea fleet sank on April 14 after it was reportedly struck by Ukrainian missiles off Odesa coast. Ims and videos of ship on fire and smoke billowing from bly damd ship emerged on social media. ship, however, tipped over while it was being towed back to Russian port. "Given choppy seas, vessel sank," Russian Defence Ministry h said.

(Im: AP)