London, Jan. 23 -- The UK foreign office has revealed to have information that the Russian government is planning to "install a pro-Russian leader in Kyiv as it considers whether to invade and occupy Ukraine".
"The former Ukrainian MP Yevhen Murayev is being considered as a potential candidate," the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said on Saturday.
However, Murayev refuted the claims. CNN quoted him as saying that "there is nothing to comment on" regarding the allegations, as he is a Ukrainian national and still facing Russian sanctions.
According to the UK's statement, there are four other former Ukrainian official with whom Russia has links.
"We have information that the Russian intelligence services maintain link...