CNN: Russia plans to record a video to use as an excuse to invade Ukraine

This clip, reports the U.S. newspaper, would present a situation as if the Ukrainian army was attacking and, as a result, their NATO allies are carrying out attacks on Russian - speaking people.

But as the US government declassified the information about the alleged plot last week, it did not share any of its basic evidence with the public. In a heated exchange in the conference room last week, journalists asked for evidence to support the claim. State Department spokesman Ned Price responded that the government is sure of the information, but it didn't mean if the US had seen any such videos.

We're trying to prevent the Russians from moving forward with this kind of activity. That is why we are making it public”, Price said, before adding that there should be no doubt in the credibility of the American government and that no one should take comfort in the information Russia releases.

The US claim came days after the British government warned of a Russian plot to install a pro-Kremlin leader in Ukraine, citing intelligent services.