Russia Claim It Foiled Ukrainian–British Plot to Hijack MiG-31 Jet Armed With Kinzhal Hypersonic Missile

Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) claims to have thwarted an elaborate espionage operation allegedly orchestrated by Ukrainian and British intelligence agencies to hijack a MiG-31 interceptor jet equipped with a Kinzhal hypersonic missile, according to reports by RIA Novosti and other state media.

The FSB stated that the operation was designed as a “large-scale provocation” that would have seen a Russian pilot fly the hijacked aircraft to a NATO airbase in Constanța, Romania, for a reward of $3 million and a promise of Western citizenship. Russian authorities said the plan was ultimately foiled before it could be executed, preventing what they called “a serious escalation attempt” by foreign intelligence services.

The Alleged Plot

According to the FSB’s report, Ukrainian military intelligence, allegedly backed and assisted by British operatives, sought to recruit an active Russian Air Force pilot who had access to MiG-31 aircraft stationed in central Russia. The pilot was reportedly approached through encrypted channels and promised $3 million in cash if he successfully defected with the aircraft and its missile system intact.

The FSB claimed that the plan included explicit instructions for the pilot to fly toward Romania’s Black Sea coast, where he would land at a NATO airbase in Constanța. Russian media outlets said that Western planners expected the jet would likely be shot down by NATO air defenses, creating a spectacle that could be used to embarrass Moscow and frame Russia as unstable or internally divided.

In a statement carried by RIA Novosti, the FSB said:

“The measures taken have thwarted the Ukrainian and British intelligence services’ plans for a large-scale provocation. The intent was to steal a combat-ready MiG-31 aircraft equipped with a Kinzhal hypersonic missile and deliver it to a NATO country.”

Evidence and FSB Footage

Russian state television broadcast what it claimed were audio recordings, screenshots, and text messages between the recruited pilot and a man allegedly acting as a go-between for Ukrainian and British intelligence. In one clip, the intermediary could be heard discussing financial transfers and offering assistance in obtaining European citizenship once the mission was completed.

The FSB did not reveal the pilot’s name, citing operational security, but said he had immediately reported the approach to his superiors. According to Russian officials, the communications were tracked, leading to the exposure of “foreign handlers operating under diplomatic and non-official cover.”

What Makes the MiG-31 and Kinzhal Valuable Targets

The MiG-31 “Foxhound” is one of Russia’s most capable long-range interceptor aircraft, capable of flying at speeds above Mach 2.8 and operating at altitudes exceeding 60,000 feet. Its ability to carry the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal, a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile, makes it a key part of Russia’s strategic deterrence arsenal.

The Kinzhal missile, which Moscow says can travel at up to Mach 10, is designed to evade enemy radar and missile defenses while delivering precision strikes at distances of up to 2,000 kilometers. It has been used in limited numbers during Russia’s campaign in Ukraine, although Western analysts debate its “hypersonic” classification and performance claims.

Given the sensitivity of the system, the successful defection of a MiG-31 equipped with a Kinzhal would have represented one of the most significant intelligence coups of the war — potentially giving NATO and Ukraine access to classified radar, propulsion, and guidance data.

The Political and Strategic Context

The FSB’s announcement arrives amid escalating accusations between Moscow and Western governments over covert operations and espionage. Russia has repeatedly accused Britain of directing sabotage missions, drone attacks, and cyber intrusions in support of Kyiv.

For its part, London has portrayed the allegations as part of a broader Russian disinformation campaign, insisting that Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine is an “unprovoked act of aggression.” The British government has frequently warned of Russian intelligence operations aimed at destabilizing Europe, spreading propaganda, and intimidating Western allies.

The alleged plot, if true, underscores the deepening intelligence shadow war between Russia and NATO — one that increasingly focuses not just on battlefield reconnaissance but also on psychological and symbolic operations capable of influencing global perception.

Questions of Verification

International observers have been cautious in assessing the FSB’s claims. Reuters, which cited Russian state media, noted that it could not independently verify the details of the alleged plot or the authenticity of the communications shown on Russian television. Neither Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR) nor the British Ministry of Defence has publicly commented on the accusation.

Analysts say that while such recruitment attempts are plausible — given the precedent of previous defection operations during the Cold War — the story also serves Russia’s narrative of portraying Western nations as aggressors seeking to destabilize its military.

Whether entirely accurate or partly propagandistic, the FSB’s announcement marks the latest chapter in an intensifying intelligence confrontation between Russia and the West. If genuine, the alleged operation would represent one of the boldest covert efforts since the start of the Ukraine war — the attempted theft of a MiG-31 interceptor armed with a Kinzhal hypersonic missile.

If fabricated or exaggerated, it still achieves a powerful political effect: reinforcing Moscow’s message that Western powers are not merely backing Kyiv but directly orchestrating espionage operations inside Russia.

Either way, the episode highlights a growing reality — that in today’s conflict, battles for aircraft and missiles are often preceded by battles for minds, loyalty, and information.