Lithuania calls Russia's abduction of civilians in Sumy Oblast a war crime
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys has condemned Russia's abduction of several dozen Ukrainian civilians from the village of Hrabovske in Sumy Oblast.
Source: Budrys on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda
Details: Budrys demanded that Russia immediately release the civilians seized in Hrabovske and ensure their safe return home.
Quote: "This targeting of mostly elderly residents once again exposes Russia's utter cynicism and shows that it has no limits. This is a war crime – and Russia will not escape responsibility for this and all the other crimes it has committed against Ukraine."
More details: Budrys also said that Russia is not interested in either a ceasefire or a "comprehensive, just and lasting peace".
Quote: "Russia is doing everything to disrupt the international efforts to achieve such a peace that would end Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. The abduction of the civilians from Hrabovske village is another deplorable action by Russia in this direction."
More details: Budrys also urged international organisations "to not stay silent in face of Russia's criminal actions against international law, against Ukraine and against Ukrainian civilians".
Background:
- Russian forces entered the border village of Hrabovske in Sumy Oblast on the night of 19-20 December.
- Ukraine's Armed Forces confirmed that Russian forces had crossed Ukraine's state border near the village of Hrabovske in Sumy Oblast and taken more than 50 civilians away from the area.
- Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has called on the international community to respond to Russia's abduction of 50 civilians, mainly elderly women, from the village of Hrabovske near the state border in Sumy Oblast.
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