Calls Ukrainian Troops Attack On Donetsk Not Covered, Russian Ambassador Hopes US Media Does Not Take Sides

JAKARTA - Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov expressed his sincere hope that the United States-based media would stop inciting what he called Russophobia and move to publish their reports impartially.

“We hope that the American press will stop inciting Russophobia and will impartially present its assessment," Antonov said in comments for Newsweek, which were posted to Facebook by the Russian Embassy in the United States.

He also noted that most Western media impose a one-sided perception on the audience about the ongoing events in Ukraine, consistently presenting Russia as the aggressor.

Antonov noted that US television channels did not cover the Ukrainian troops that attacked Donetsk on March 14, calling him a feeling no one cared.

He further said he felt "no one remembers freedom of speech and pluralism of opinion" in the US, contrary to what is codified in the US Constitution.

Antonov said the only threat to civilians in Ukraine was from armed Ukrainian nationalist militias. And, he said Russian troops were only targeting the country's military infrastructure.

In addition, he also underlined, "only military infrastructure facilities were destroyed by Russian precision weapons."

Right-wing Ukrainian armed groups "placed tanks and artillery near kindergartens and schools, equipped firing positions on rooftops, hiding behind women and children to provoke as many civilian casualties as possible," Antonov said.

The Kremlin began special military operations in Ukraine on February 24, in response to calls from the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics for protection against attacks by Ukrainian forces.

Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that the aim of the military operation, in particular, was "the protection of people who have been subjected to abuse and genocide by the Kyiv regime for eight years."

According to the Russian President, the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine will be brought to justice for all war criminals responsible for the bloody crimes against civilians in Donbas.

The Russian Ministry of Defense reiterated that special military operations targeted the Ukrainian military infrastructure only, while the civilian population was not in danger from Russian military action.

The ministry also issued a statement stating that the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and the Lugansk People's Republic (LPR) forces are developing attacks with the support of the Russian army.

To note, the Kremlin has repeatedly said that there are no plans for the Russian occupation of Ukraine. Western countries and other countries around the world have imposed crippling sanctions against Russia.