Latest large-scale "yellow vest" riots in Paris, France, accompanied by looting, vandalism and clashes of activists and law enforcement officers is a "practical examination" of European radicals trained by the secret services of the Russian Federation, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has said.
"International borders are not an obstacle to Russian hybrid aggression. The Kremlin uses dirty methods to destroy European stability, which it sees as a threat," the SBU quoted Chief Vasyl Hrytsak as saying in a statement posted on the SBU's Facebook page on December 9.
According to information available to the Ukrainian special services, Moscow has intensified efforts to seize control of the radical movements of Europe in recent years. Every year, various "conferences" and "forums" are held in Russia where the ideologists of the "Russian world (Russiky Mir)" Alexander Dugin, Sergey Glazyev and others call on foreign "attendees" to forcefully overthrow European democracies.
Read also"Russian World" supporters fly "DPR" flag at yellow vest protest in Paris
And to let them gain "practical experience," radicals were taken as "European observers" to "monitor" fake "elections" organized by the Russian Federation in Russian-occupied Crimea and Donbas.
"Today, the same radicals under the banners of the so-called 'DPR' ['Donetsk People's Republic'] and under the guidance of Russia's FSB and Directorate of General Staff of Russia's Armed Forces, are passing a "practical exam." "They have started to create unrest and violence in France behind the backs of peaceful protesters," the SBU said.
In particular, several participants in the "yellow vests" rallies who are seen on a photo holding the banner of the Russian-controlled terrorist group "DPR" are Fabrice Sorlin (left) and Xavier Moreau (right), the SBU said.
Fabrice Sorlin is a member of the "Katehon International Analytical Center," which acts under the auspices of the ideologists of the "Russian world": Russian oligarch Konstantin Malofeev, Vladimir Putin's adviser Sergey Glazyev, leader of the "International Eurasian Movement" Alexander Dugin. Sorlin is a member of the "Russia-Donbass Integration Committee," which was created and is funded by the special services of the Russian Federation.
Xavier Moreau is the founder of the Stratpol think tank, the Kremlin's propaganda outlet in France. He is a member of NGO "East France-Solidarity Donbass," which is controlled by the Russian special services. Moreau has been living in Russia for 17 years and acquired Russian citizenship in 2013.
The SBU has information that Russian intelligence services have to organize similar acts of provocation in Belgium, Germany, Spain, Bulgaria, and other European countries.