LOC20:46
17:46 GMT
MOSCOW, Oct 8 (KUNA) -- Spokesperson of the Russian foreign ministry Maria Zakharova accused Ukraine of backing terrorist groups in the Sahel Region in Africa and cooperating with the Libya's interim Government of National Unity (GNU) to organize terror, affirming that Moscow has sufficient proof of Ukraine's disruption of peace in the Region.
Zakharova said in a press conference on Wednesday that "Kyiv's terrorism knows no borders," claiming Ukraine, with British mediation, has been involved in organizing terrorist operations in countries including Niger.
She alleged that Libya's GNU security forces provided direct support to Ukrainian militants, supplying attack drones and holding joint training sessions under supervision from Ukrainian military intelligence.
Zakharova said Ukrainian activities in Africa pose a serious external threat, adding that Moscow is closely monitoring what it calls Ukraine's "immoral" conduct. She referenced recent remarks by a Sudanese military official, who stated that several Ukrainian mercenaries were killed fighting alongside the Rapid Support Forces in Darfur.
She further accused the Ukrainian army of illegally selling Western weapons and ammunition, which she claimed have surfaced in the hands of terrorist groups in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Sudan, Somalia, Syria, the Central African Republic, and Chad.
The spokesperson also criticized the European Union and NATO for turning a blind eye to what she called Ukrainian "terrorist" attacks on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, saying such silence makes them complicit.
On EU proposals to use frozen Russian assets to compensate Ukraine, Zakharova called the idea "unrealistic," accusing Brussels of engaging in systematic theft of Russian property and urging respect for international law.
On other matters, she warned against US plans to supply Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles, saying such a move would damage US-Russia ties, and expressed hope that Washington would heed Moscow's warnings.
Zakharova also voiced concern over renewed tensions in Syria and said Russia is committed to supporting regional stability and preventing bloodshed.
She concluded by reaffirming Russia's determination to work with international partners to counter terrorism and enhance African security, urging the global community to take a firm stance against what she described as cross-border terrorism backed by Western powers. (end)
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