Photos showing US jets being painted Russian colors have triggered debates and conspiracy theories online, with many saying Washington plans to conduct false flag attacks in Syria and blame them on Moscow.

Agressor squadron? A video posted by RT (@rt) on Oct 11, 2016 at 8:43am PDT

The pictures of the US jets were posted by a Canadian journalist last week on his Twitter account.

The U.S is painting their F/A-18's to match the paint schemes of Russian jets in #Syria. Standard training, but interesting nonetheless. pic.twitter.com/FVN6tMj2Ji — Christian Borys (@ItsBorys) October 6, 2016

Although the journalist noted that painting fighter jets in the colors of potential adversaries is standard practice, they caused a stir among conspiracy theorists.

Many of them accused the US of preparing a false flag attack aimed at framing Russia in Syria.

So did you guys read that article of the US Army painting bomber jets the colors of Russian jets? Prepare for another false flag coming..... — Rob Lu-Wong (@ThatROBTho) October 10, 2016

Doesn't it smell as another #falseflag prepared by USA to accuse Russia then? https://t.co/cVpkd4yTQ5 — New Eastern Outlook (@JournalNEO) October 10, 2016

Here we go ... US prep for a #FalseFlag atrocity, to blame on Russia, immediately, as justification for war. https://t.co/HllZCTAvME — Colin McKay (@DerorCurrency) October 7, 2016

From the Canadian journalist behind the original post came the following tweet.

U.S uses "aggressor units" to train pilots. The paint schemes make fighters similar to Russian counterparts. Stop with the conspiracies. pic.twitter.com/suSmdNs30Q — Christian Borys (@ItsBorys) October 10, 2016

US concocting a false flag incident where one of their FA-18/A jets in Russian colors sink US Navy ship; USS Liberty style new PearlHarbour? — Tom (@tvdh_3) October 10, 2016

One Twitter user said the practice is reminiscent of Washington’s past actions regarding Cuba.

Nothing is new under this sun.

Looks like recycling the old scenario for false flag framing Cuba.@ItsBoryshttps://t.co/dNHtAhyxio — NedoUkraïnka (@ValLisitsa) October 7, 2016

Another called false flag operations a “US trademark.”

The publication of the images fell on fertile ground. Relations between Russia and the US over the Syria conflict are at an all-time low, with both countries exchanging threats and warnings with each other over their involvement in Syria.

The US and other militaries are known for using aggressor squadrons, which act as opposing forces in military war games. In addition to being painted in an adversary’s colors, they also use enemy tactics to provide realistic simulations of air combat.