“No different from ISIS or Hamas”: Ukrainian FM Sybiha calls Russia’s abduction of 50 civilians from one border village “medieval raid”

3 min

The Russians are no different from ISIS terrorists after forcibly deporting 50 civilians from the village of Hrabovske in Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast to Russia, says Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.

Ukraine’s Armed Forces Communications Directorate has confirmed that after seizing the village, Russian troops deported more than 50 civilians, mostly men and elderly women, who had previously refused evacuation deeper into Ukrainian-controlled territory, UkrInform reports.

Fighting is currently ongoing in Hrabovske. Ukrainian defenders are making efforts to push the occupiers back toward Russian territory.

Putin’s Russia equals terrorist groups

"With such medieval raids, Putin’s Russia shows it is no different from terrorist groups like ISIS, Boko Haram, or Hamas," Sybiha said.

According to him, the forced deportation of civilians is a systemic Russian practice and further evidence that Moscow is waging war against the civilian population.

Demand for return and international accountability

The Ukrainian foreign minister stressed that Kyiv demands the immediate return of all civilian hostages abducted by Russia, including children. He called on the international community to provide a proper legal assessment of the crime and to join calls for the release of those deported.

“That is why Ukraine needs a real, lasting peace. Living next to terrorists requires strength and robust security guarantees,” Sybiha emphasized.

This specific war crime is already under investigation in Ukraine and must receive an appropriate international response. It also underscores the constant threat of living next to Russia.

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