MOSCOW, February 21. /TASS/. Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has uncovered evidence that the UK has been carrying out intelligence operations through the British Council, a governmental organization ostensibly "specializing in cultural and educational opportunities," the FSB press office told TASS.

"The [Russian] Federal Security Service on the territory of the Kherson Region has exposed the activities of the British Council, a UK governmental organization which has been conducting intelligence activities in the interests of Kiev through organizations under its control," the FSB press office said.

"Thus, a resident of Novaya Mayashka, Russian citizen Sergey Cheburkin, who previously espoused ultranationalist views, fell under its influence. However, the man realized in time that he was being drawn into criminal activities and reported them to law enforcement officers," the FSB said. "At present, the Russian security services are investigating the activities of the British Council within the region, as well as individuals who have been cooperating with the aforementioned organization on a confidential basis," the press office pointed out.

The FSB recalled that such activities come under Article 275.1 of the Russian Criminal Code ("Cooperation of a Russian citizen with a foreigner, an international or a foreign organization on a confidential basis in order to assist them in activities directed against Russia’s security") and are punishable by up to eight years in prison.

"The officially declared goals of the British Council are the development of cooperation in the field of education, culture and art between the UK and other countries. At the same time, in reality, the declared activities are nothing but a cover for the work of UK intelligence services," the FSB said. In particular, the Russian law enforcement officers have established that the British Council has been using Ukrainian refugees living in the UK to gather military and political intelligence through relatives and friends living in the Kherson Region.