A newly announced evacuation of civilians from Russian-controlled territory in eastern Ukraine is “exactly” the “type of false flag operation” that U.S. officials suspect could presage a major Russian invasion of Ukraine, according to Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s team.

“Announcements like these are further attempts to obscure through lies and disinformation that Russia is the aggressor in this conflict,” a State Department spokesperson told reporters on Friday. “It is also cynical and cruel to use human beings as pawns to distract the world from the fact that Russia is building up its forces in preparation for an attack.”