Specifically Russian intelligence is being accused of producing a fake video showing a Ukrainian Bayraktar TB-2 drone attacking pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine's eastern regions, which was to "fabricate a pretext for an invasion."

Oil surged as the bombshell claims against Moscow quickly grabbed world headlines, emerging as the NY Times and CNN top story by early afternoon.

The accusations are positively staggering, especially given how over the top the detailed claims are - all while sourced to US intelligence assertions - but lacking completely in any specific evidence.