In a briefing on Saturday, the Ministry’s spokesman, Major General Igor Konashenkov, reiterated that the Russian Armed Forces are not striking the residential neighborhoods in Ukrainian cities.

He noted that Russian intelligence observed the deployment of rocket and artillery units by Ukrainian nationalists in the residential neighborhoods not only in Kiev, but also in other Ukrainian cities.

He pointed out that the nationalist Government in Kiev is massively and uncontrollably distributing small automatic firearms, grenade launchers and ammunition to the residents of Ukrainian settlements.

The Russian Defense Ministry’s spokesman warned that the involvement of Ukraine’s civilian population in hostilities will inevitably lead to accidents and casualties.

He reported that on Friday evening, 16 Ukrainian naval boats attempted to attack the Russian Black Sea Fleet ships, which evacuated 82 Ukrainian servicemen who voluntarily surrendered on Snake Island.

On Thursday, Russia launched a military operation in the Ukrainian autonomous region of Donbass, after authorities from the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) and Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR) requested help to repel the aggression from Kiev.

On February 21, Moscow recognized the independence and sovereignty of both territories and signed treaties of friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance with the heads of the DPR and LPR, including establishing diplomatic relations and providing military aid.

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