Lavrov said the Russian Federation had not attacked Ukraine

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said his country had not allegedly invaded Ukraine, but that he had to start a “special operation” because of the West, which is “engaging in criminal activities, dragging Ukraine away.” in NATO. ” On Thursday, June 16, Lavrov said in a BBC interview.

“You know, we didn’t invade Ukraine. We announced a special military operation when we no longer had any way to explain to the West that it was engaging in criminal activities, dragging Ukraine into NATO,” he said. by Lavrov to journalists during St. Economic Forum.

At the same time, the BBC journalist asked Lavrov to comment on the information that in the village of Yagodnoye, Chernihiv region, the Russian military detained 360 people for 28 days, including 74 children and five people with disabilities, in the basement of a school. without toilets and almost no water, 10 elderly people died.

“You know, unfortunately, international officials, including the High Commissioner for Human Rights, including, unfortunately, the UN Secretary General and many other United Nations representatives, are under pressure from in the West. the fake news of the West, “Lavrov replied.

“Does that mean Russia is white and soft again?” the journalist asked.

“No, Russia is not white and not soft, Russia is what it is, and we do not hesitate to present ourselves as we are,” the Russian minister said.

Earlier it was reported that in Ukraine they do not believe in Lavrov’s promises not to use grain corridors for attacks.

Lavrov also stated that if Ukraine receives remote weapons from Western countries, then Russia will further move from its borders the line where a threat could originate.