Russian commissioner's praise of Ukrainian soldiers' actions in Kursk Oblast draws domestic criticism
Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova sparked controversy by claiming Ukrainian soldiers shared food and resources with civilians in the occupied Kursk Oblast during a speech to the Russian parliament on Friday, Russian outlet Bloknot reports.
For example, speaking about Russian soldiers and civilians returned from captivity who were taken out of the Ukrainian-controlled part of Kursk Oblast, Moskalkova noted that Ukrainian soldiers vary and tried to save the residents there.
"We worked with the guys who returned from captivity, bringing back the residents of Kursk Oblast. They were taken by the Ukrainian military to Sumy, and from there through Belarus to Russia. They told different stories. They also told how Ukrainian soldiers brought them food and shared the last of it. There are different Ukrainians," the ombudswoman said.
Moskalkova also said that the Ukrainian military allegedly saved the residents of Kursk Oblast from the "mercenaries" with whom the Ukrainian Armed Forces allegedly came, and whom she accused of "having nothing sacred."
The Russian commissioner also emphasized that one should not "lose humanity" and see Ukraine only as an "evil empire."