Ukraine, seeking to reassure its Western allies after faking the murder of a Russian dissident to thwart what it said was a plot on his life, told them on Friday its ruse led to the discovery of a hit-list of 47 people whom Russia planned to kill abroad.

The Kiev authorities drew both praise and consternation this week for staging the fake shooting of Arkady Babchenko, an exiled journalist, which they said was necessary to protect him and dozens of others who were targeted in a genuine Russian plot.

Russia has poured scorn on Ukraine's allegations while some organizations and commentators criticized Kiev for the kind of trickery which Ukraine routinely accuses Russia of using.

Ukraine's credibility matters as it counts on Western financial support and sanctions on Moscow in its standoff with Russia over the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and a Russian-backed separatist conflict in which more than 10,000 people have been killed.

General Prosecutor Yuriy Lutsenko, one of the few Ukrainian officials who knew about the ruse in advance, briefed the ambassadors of the United States, the European Union and other countries.

In a statement after the meeting, Lutsenko said faking the murder was necessary because it allowed Ukrainian investigators to obtain more information about the list of people targeted and about who had ordered the murder.

As a result, “the investigation received a list of 47 (!) people who could be the next victims of terrorists,” he wrote on Facebook.

He did not provide any names but said the list included prominent Ukrainian and Russian journalists.

The 47 number is higher than the 30 people, including Babchenko, whom Ukraine originally believed were targets.

The investigation also gleaned important evidence linking the plot to Russian intelligence services, which would be divulged later, Lutsenko said.

State protection

Ukrainian officials reported on Tuesday that Babchenko, a Kremlin critic, had been gunned down in his apartment building in Kiev. Lurid pictures of him lying in a pool of blood were published, and officials suggested Russia was behind the killing, something Moscow flatly denied.

A day later, Babchenko appeared in public alive, and Ukrainian state security officials admitted they had faked his death to foil and expose what they described as a Russian plot to assassinate him.

That drew criticism from media and commentators abroad who questioned whether the ruse and the false outpouring of grief and finger-pointing at Russia it provoked had undermined credibility in Kiev and handing the Kremlin a propaganda gift.

One senior EU country diplomat who attended Friday’s meeting said Lutsenko had given a convincing explanation to justify the means Ukraine had employed.

“I’m happy, others are happier than before. I’d say it was the right thing to,” the diplomat told Reuters, adding that Lutsenko did “acknowledge that the media reaction came as a surprise and that side should have been handled better.”

Separately two television presenters based in Ukraine, one Russian and one Ukrainian, disclosed publicly that the Ukrainian authorities had shown them evidence of being on Russia’s hit list and were now living under state protection.

A senior European Union official involved in Ukraine said the staged murder could undermine trust in Kiev if the government did not come forward quickly with evidence of what they claimed and the plot’s links to Russia.

A marker will be the July 9 EU-Ukraine summit in Brussels, where President Petro Poroshenko will need to show proof, if not before, the official said.

“What if they fail to provide evidence? It all depends on how well they follow up,” the official said. 
&nbsp

The Kiev authorities drew both praise and consternation this week for staging the fake shooting of Arkady Babchenko, an exiled journalist, which they said was necessary to protect him

Ukraine, seeking to reassure its Western allies after faking the murder of a Russian dissident to thwart what it said was a plot on his life, told them on Friday its ruse led to the discovery of a hit-list of 47 people whom Russia planned to kill abroad. The Kiev authorities drew both praise and consternation this week for staging the fake shooting of Arkady Babchenko, an exiled journalist, which they said was necessary to protect him and dozens of others who were targeted in a genuine Russian plot. Russia has poured scorn on Ukraine's allegations while some organizations and commentators criticized Kiev for the kind of trickery which Ukraine routinely accuses Russia of using. Ukraine's credibility matters as it counts on Western financial support and sanctions on Moscow in its standoff with Russia over the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and a Russian-backed separatist conflict in which more than 10,000 people have been killed. General Prosecutor Yuriy Lutsenko, one of the few Ukrainian officials who knew about the ruse in advance, briefed the ambassadors of the United States, the European Union and other countries. In a statement after the meeting, Lutsenko said faking the murder was necessary because it allowed Ukrainian investigators to obtain more information about the list of people targeted and about who had ordered the murder. As a result, “the investigation received a list of 47 (!) people who could be the next victims of terrorists,” he wrote on Facebook. He did not provide any names but said the list included prominent Ukrainian and Russian journalists. The 47 number is higher than the 30 people, including Babchenko, whom Ukraine originally believed were targets. The investigation also gleaned important evidence linking the plot to Russian intelligence services, which would be divulged later, Lutsenko said. State protection Ukrainian officials reported on Tuesday that Babchenko, a Kremlin critic, had been gunned down in his apartment building in Kiev. Lurid pictures of him lying in a pool of blood were published, and officials suggested Russia was behind the killing, something Moscow flatly denied. A day later, Babchenko appeared in public alive, and Ukrainian state security officials admitted they had faked his death to foil and expose what they described as a Russian plot to assassinate him. That drew criticism from media and commentators abroad who questioned whether the ruse and the false outpouring of grief and finger-pointing at Russia it provoked had undermined credibility in Kiev and handing the Kremlin a propaganda gift. One senior EU country diplomat who attended Friday’s meeting said Lutsenko had given a convincing explanation to justify the means Ukraine had employed. “I’m happy, others are happier than before. I’d say it was the right thing to,” the diplomat told Reuters, adding that Lutsenko did “acknowledge that the media reaction came as a surprise and that side should have been handled better.” Separately two television presenters based in Ukraine, one Russian and one Ukrainian, disclosed publicly that the Ukrainian authorities had shown them evidence of being on Russia’s hit list and were now living under state protection. A senior European Union official involved in Ukraine said the staged murder could undermine trust in Kiev if the government did not come forward quickly with evidence of what they claimed and the plot’s links to Russia. A marker will be the July 9 EU-Ukraine summit in Brussels, where President Petro Poroshenko will need to show proof, if not before, the official said. “What if they fail to provide evidence? It all depends on how well they follow up,” the official said.

'We have Russian hit-list of 47 people', Ukraine tells allies

First, Ukraine announced the "murder" of prominent Russian journalist and Kremlin critic Arkady Babchenko late Tuesday, prompting an outpouring of grief and condemnation, and mutual accusations between Kiev and Moscow.

Then, in a stunning twist on Wednesday, the Ukraine security services revealed Babchenko was still alive, with his "killing" staged as a sting to catch the masterminds behind a real plot to assassinate him on orders of the Russian security services.&nbsp;

Here is an outline of how the top-secret operation panned out.&nbsp;

Babchenko's 'last post'&nbsp;

On Tuesday morning at 0856 GMT, Babchenko writes a post on Twitter and Facebook about narrowly avoiding death four years ago when he failed to board a helicopter that crashed, referring to it as his "second birthday".

Police announce murder

Hours later, at around 1800 GMT, Ukrainian police announce Babchenko has died after being hit by three bullets to the back in the stairwell of his apartment block in Kiev. Police say his wife called an ambulance after finding him bleeding but he died on route to the hospital.

Later police early on Wednesday morning released a drawing of the suspected killer, describing him as a bearded man with a noticeable belly. Police say they are primarily looking into Babchenko's "professional activities" as the motive.

An aide to the Ukraine interior minister Anton Gerashchenko posts a photograph of Babchenko lying facedown in a pool of blood.

Russia condemns murder

Russia's Investigative Committee says at 1930 GMT that it has launched its own probe, adding it will not ignore "cruel crimes" against Russians in Ukraine.

Ukraine PM blames Russia&nbsp;

Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman writes on Twitter at 1936 GMT: "I am convinced that the Russian totalitarian machine did not forgive him for his honesty and principled stance.&nbsp;

"A true friend of Ukraine who was telling the world the truth about Russian aggression. His murderers should be punished."

He also reposts Babchenko's final social media message about dodging death.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin later mentions the murder at a meeting of the United Nations Security Council.

Russia points finger at Kiev

The Russian Foreign Ministry in a statement at 1955 GMT condemns the murder, saying that "bloody crimes and total lawlessness have become routine for the Kiev regime" and that violent attacks and murders of journalists are "steadily rising" in Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov comments on Wednesday at 0700 GMT, calling the death a "tragedy" and predicting Kiev will blame Russian security services.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists at 1000 GMT that "We strongly condemn this killing" and said Ukraine had become a "very dangerous place" for journalists. He calls Kiev's blaming Russia for the killing the "height of cynicism."

The big reveal

A news conference called by Ukraine's SBU security service starts at 1400 GMT in Kiev. Minutes later, head of the service Vasyl Grytsak ushers Babchenko into the room to gasps and applause from journalists and congratulates him on his "third birthday."

Babchenko says he was told of the planned killing by Ukrainian security services a month ago. He apologises to his wife for putting her through "hell".

Grytsak says that the organiser who tried to arrange the contract killing was detained in Kiev around three hours earlier.

Russia condemns 'provocation' 
&nbsp;

Russia's foreign ministry late Wednesday condemned what it called an "anti-Russian provocation," criticising the statements by Ukrainian officials. It calls on Kiev to investigate "real murders".

Babchenko vows to live to 96

Babchenko on Twitter vows to "die at 96 after dancing on Putin's grave".

In a stunning twist on Wednesday, the Ukraine security services revealed Babchenko was still alive

First, Ukraine announced the "murder" of prominent Russian journalist and Kremlin critic Arkady Babchenko late Tuesday, prompting an outpouring of grief and condemnation, and mutual accusations between Kiev and Moscow. Then, in a stunning twist on Wednesday, the Ukraine security services revealed Babchenko was still alive, with his "killing" staged as a sting to catch the masterminds behind a real plot to assassinate him on orders of the Russian security services. Here is an outline of how the top-secret operation panned out. Babchenko's 'last post' On Tuesday morning at 0856 GMT, Babchenko writes a post on Twitter and Facebook about narrowly avoiding death four years ago when he failed to board a helicopter that crashed, referring to it as his "second birthday". Police announce murder Hours later, at around 1800 GMT, Ukrainian police announce Babchenko has died after being hit by three bullets to the back in the stairwell of his apartment block in Kiev. Police say his wife called an ambulance after finding him bleeding but he died on route to the hospital. Later police early on Wednesday morning released a drawing of the suspected killer, describing him as a bearded man with a noticeable belly. Police say they are primarily looking into Babchenko's "professional activities" as the motive. An aide to the Ukraine interior minister Anton Gerashchenko posts a photograph of Babchenko lying facedown in a pool of blood. Russia condemns murder Russia's Investigative Committee says at 1930 GMT that it has launched its own probe, adding it will not ignore "cruel crimes" against Russians in Ukraine. Ukraine PM blames Russia Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman writes on Twitter at 1936 GMT: "I am convinced that the Russian totalitarian machine did not forgive him for his honesty and principled stance. "A true friend of Ukraine who was telling the world the truth about Russian aggression. His murderers should be punished." He also reposts Babchenko's final social media message about dodging death. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin later mentions the murder at a meeting of the United Nations Security Council. Russia points finger at Kiev The Russian Foreign Ministry in a statement at 1955 GMT condemns the murder, saying that "bloody crimes and total lawlessness have become routine for the Kiev regime" and that violent attacks and murders of journalists are "steadily rising" in Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov comments on Wednesday at 0700 GMT, calling the death a "tragedy" and predicting Kiev will blame Russian security services. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists at 1000 GMT that "We strongly condemn this killing" and said Ukraine had become a "very dangerous place" for journalists. He calls Kiev's blaming Russia for the killing the "height of cynicism." The big reveal A news conference called by Ukraine's SBU security service starts at 1400 GMT in Kiev. Minutes later, head of the service Vasyl Grytsak ushers Babchenko into the room to gasps and applause from journalists and congratulates him on his "third birthday." Babchenko says he was told of the planned killing by Ukrainian security services a month ago. He apologises to his wife for putting her through "hell". Grytsak says that the organiser who tried to arrange the contract killing was detained in Kiev around three hours earlier. Russia condemns 'provocation' Russia's foreign ministry late Wednesday condemned what it called an "anti-Russian provocation," criticising the statements by Ukrainian officials. It calls on Kiev to investigate "real murders". Babchenko vows to live to 96 Babchenko on Twitter vows to "die at 96 after dancing on Putin's grave".

How exiled Anti-Putin Russian journalist turned up alive

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'We have Russian hit-list of 47 people', Ukraine tells allies

How exiled Anti-Putin Russian journalist turned up alive