'CIA behind spate of explosions in Russia', US veteran claims

The CIA is combining with the spy service of a NATO ally in Europe to conduct covert sabotage operations inside Russia, according to new claims. Jack Murphy was a former senior trainer and adviser to an Iraqi SWAT team, with his special forces team conducting direct action and other missions across Northern Iraq Explosion and fire at Angarsk Oil Refinery in Eastern Siberia early in the morning of 15 December Huge fireball after explosion hits gas pipeline in the Leningrad region of Russia Murphy said that while the CIA had denied as 'categorically false' its involvement, the agency is entitled to make such denials under Title 50 of the U.S. Code which authorises covert actions. Markovskoye Oil and Gas field on fire in Eastern Siberia, Russia The Markovskoye site saw huge plumes of flames and smoke spiralling into the air Huge fireball after explosion hits gas pipeline in the Leningrad region of Russia Flames shot into the sky from the giant blaze at the Markovskoye condensate treatment unit in the biting minus 22C cold. 'The NATO ally's campaign overseen by the CIA is only one of several covert operations efforts being undertaken by Western nations in Russia,' said Murphy, attributing his claim to two former US special operations officials. The latest allegations come as President Vladimir Putin blasted the West on Christmas day for trying to 'tear apart' Russia and said his offensive in Ukraine aimed to 'unite the Russian people'.