Russia is said to have foiled a Ukrainian-British attempt to hijack a MiG-31 fighter jet

Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) says Ukraine and Britain planned a large-scale "provocation" using the stolen plane and that Ukrainian military intelligence sought to enlist Russian pilots to cooperate in return for a three million dollar reward.

The hijacked aircraft was reportedly to be diverted towards a NATO base in the Romanian city of Constanta, where it could then be shot down by anti-aircraft forces.

State television published photographs of reports and recordings of a man who claims to have worked for Ukrainian and British intelligence offering the Russian pilot $3 million to fly the MiG to Europe. He was also allegedly offered citizenship.

The Kizhal is an air-launched ballistic missile with wide manoeuvrability, making it difficult to intercept by air defences.

(reuters, est)