Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has sparked outrage with his statement that Russia's military intervention in Ukraine, which he refers to as a 'special military operation', has 'cleansed' Russian society by purging it of individuals who do not identify with Russian culture and history. He suggests that the operation has targeted the 'crème de la crème' of the Russian intellectual elite. Critics have condemned the statement, with some calling the ongoing violence, such as the recent attacks in Kupiansk, Ukraine where peaceful Ukrainians were murdered in their homes, a 'favorite pastime' and likening it to cultural genocide.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says #Russia’s large-scale military intervention against #Ukraine has “cleansed” Russian society, after thousands fled the country or were detained since fighting broke out. https://t.co/szDFzBRRbf
Lavrov: "The special military operation has... helped to purge [our society] of people who, in general, did not feel that they belonged to Russian history and Russian culture." What is "Russian culture" these days, anyway? Invading, murdering, looting? Artists supporting war? https://t.co/Df9Ha3vm0m
You can’t make this stuff up Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says the "special military operation" has had very positive impact on Russian society https://t.co/c5m2Nq42yd
Lavrov says that the “special operation” aka Russian aggression in Ukraine has helped to purge the country from “people who don’t feel affinity with Russian culture and history” aka crème de la crème of Russian intellectual elite.
murdering peaceful Ukrainians in their own bedrooms and living rooms is favorite pastime of russians. Kupiansk in Ukraine this morning 💔 genocide is russian culture. https://t.co/eEJYCpJdoe https://t.co/nr0ZFL6ScD