Tensions in Europe continue to grow as Britain has accused president Vladimir Putin of conspiring to install a pro-Kremlin leader in Ukraine.

The Foreign Office took the unusual step of naming several former Ukrainian politicians viewed as potential candidates for the job.

Media owner Yevhen Murayev, who lost his seat in Ukraine’s parliament in 2019, is believed to be one of them.

It comes as an estimated 100,000 Russian soldiers have descended on the border between the two countries, apparently waiting for instructions from their leader.

In a statement, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss highlighted the lengths the Kremlin is allegedly preparing to go to undermine its neighbour.

She said: ‘The information being released today shines a light on the extent of Russian activity designed to subvert Ukraine, and is an insight into Kremlin thinking.

‘Russia must de-escalate, end its campaigns of aggression and disinformation, and pursue a path of diplomacy.

‘As the UK and our partners have said repeatedly, any Russian military incursion into Ukraine would be a massive strategic mistake with severe costs.’

The Foreign Office named four other Ukrainian politicians who, it said, maintained links with the Russian intelligence services.

These include Serhiy Arbuzov and Andriy Kluyev, who both served as deputy prime minister under the pro-Moscow president Viktor Yanukovych, who was overthrown in 2014.

Mykola Azarov, who served as prime minister under Mr Yanukovych, and Vladimir Sivkovich, former deputy head of the National Security and Defence Council (RNBO), were also on the list.

However, he ruled out sending in troops if Mr Putin’s government goes to war with its neighbour.

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