Russia’s involvement in Ukraine conflict ‘revealed after hackers leak emails linked to Vladimir Putin’s top aide’

Two hackers claim to have accessed Kremlin-connected emails that provide evidence Russia has been aiding separatists in Ukraine.

Some of the emails allegedly come from the inbox of Vladislav Surkov, one of Vladimir Putin’s closest aids.

Dubbed the “grey cardinal” due to his behind-the-scenes influence, Mr Surkov is one of the architects of Russia’s current political system of “sovereign democracy”.

In a small number of emails seen by the BBC, there are reportedly details that contradict the official Russian line that Ukraine is suffering a “civil war”.

Attached to some emails are allegedly budgets for the pro-Russian “republics” in eastern Ukraine, as well as a plan for Moscow to provide fuel for the separatists during shortages.

One email seen by the corporation was allegedly sent by separatist leader Denis Pushilin. Attached is a map of Ukraine carved into three regions, with the furthest east described as “New Russia”.

The emails are extremely unlikely to be fakes, according to Ruslan Deynychenko from the fact-checking website StopFake.org, who spoke to the BBC.

“It is beyond reasonable doubt that the emails come from Mr Surkov’s office,” he said. “There are too many documents, and too many events and people mentioned.”

One email that was judged to have increased the credibility of the hack was an invitation for Mr Surkov to attend a party where singer Robbie Williams was performing in 2014. The singer was allegedly paid for by Roman Abramovich, the Chelsea Football Club owner.

The emails come from two email inboxes linked to Mr Surkov; prm_surkova@gove.ru and pochta_mg@mail.ru. The hackers told the BBC the second email address belongs to one of Mr Surkov’s staff.

The hackers, who say have no link to the Ukrainian state or security services, said on Thursday they planned to release more information taken from accounts linked to senior Russian officials, including to Mr Putin’s chief spokesman.

Speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, two members of RUH8, part of a network of Ukrainian hacking groups called Cyber Alliance, said they would not stop their cyber attacks against Russia while the eastern fighting continues.

“Our boys are running with guns in trenches, but thank God we are not there. We’re sitting at home, in the warm, with keyboards. So how can we betray them?” said one activist, wearing a hockey mask to disguise his identity.

“We live in the 21st century, so possessing information, analysing it and using it in the proper way plays a very big role,” he said.

Russia has repeatedly denied accusations from Kiev and Nato that it has played an active role in the separatist crisis and fighting that has killed nearly 10,000 people since 2014.

The Kremlin denies all the allegations connected to the emails.

Additional reporting by Reuters