Archive · 11 Nov 2025
Russia Claims Foiled Plot by Ukraine and Britain to Steal Jet
Imagine spies are like detectives, but sometimes they try to do bad things.
Russia's main spy agency says they stopped a plan by spies from Ukraine and Britain.
They say these spies wanted to trick Russian pilots into stealing a special airplane, a MiG-31 jet that carries a super-fast missile.
The spies supposedly offered the pilots a lot of money, about $3 million, and even citizenship.
Russia's spy agency believes the plane was supposed to be flown to a NATO country, where it might have been shot down.
This, they say, was meant to cause a big problem or 'provocation'.
Russia often points to Britain as an enemy, and Britain sees Russia's actions in Ukraine as taking over land.
Reporters could not check if this spy story was true on their own.
Russia's FSB claims it thwarted a plot involving Ukrainian and British intelligence to steal a MiG-31 fighter jet.
The alleged plan aimed to tempt Russian pilots with $3 million and citizenship to carry out the theft.
According to the FSB, the stolen jet was to be flown to a NATO air base in Constanta, Romania.
Russia's state media cited the FSB saying the intention was a large-scale 'provocation' where the jet might be shot down.
Reuters reported that it could not independently verify the FSB's account of the alleged plot.
- Who
- Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB)
- What
- Claims to have foiled a plot by Ukrainian and British intelligence to steal a MiG-31 fighter jet.
- When
- Reported on Tuesday.
- Where
- Russia
- Why
- FSB stated the alleged goal was a large-scale 'provocation', with the stolen jet to be flown to a NATO base in Romania and potentially shot down.
Russia's FSB Account
Western Stances
Nature of the alleged plot
Russia's FSB Account
FSB claims Ukraine and Britain planned a large-scale 'provocation' involving the theft of a MiG-31 jet armed with a Kinzhal missile.
Western Stances
Britain views Russia's invasion of Ukraine as an 'imperial-style landgrab' and warns of Russian intelligence efforts to undermine democracy in Europe.
Role of Britain
Russia's FSB Account
FSB alleges British intelligence worked with Ukraine to tempt Russian pilots with $3 million and citizenship to steal the jet.
Western Stances
Russia accuses London of stoking the Ukraine war and assisting Ukraine in operations inside Russia.
Purpose of the alleged theft
Russia's FSB Account
The jet was reportedly to be flown toward a NATO air base in Romania (Constanta) to be shot down by air defenses, creating a 'provocation'.
Western Stances
Western governments generally frame Russian actions as aggressive and aimed at destabilization or territorial expansion, while accusing Russian intelligence of sowing discord.
- Alleged Plotters
- Ukraine and Britain
- Agency Involved (Russia)
- FSB
- Aircraft Type
- MiG-31
- Armament
- Kinzhal hypersonic missile
- Alleged Pilot Payment
- $3 million and citizenship
- Alleged Destination
- NATO air base in Constanta, Romania