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Russian Foreign Ministry criticizes Kiev for punitive operation against its own nationals

MOSCOW, May 22. /ITAR-TASS/. The Russian Foreign Ministry has criticized the Kiev authorities on Thursday, saying that Kiev has been intensifying a punitive operation in the east of Ukraine, rather than calling it off, and has been shelling settlements in the east of Ukraine.

A proper election process is hardly ever imaginable in a country where punitive operations are underway, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said on Thursday, commenting on the forthcoming presidential polls in Ukraine due on May 25.

“Election of the head of state is a step in the right direction, but it is vital to ensure that these elections are really nationwide,” he said. “It is hard to imagine an election process in a country where punitive operations are underway in a number of regions.”

“Ukraine seems to have big problems with ensuring the nationwide nature of the elections,” he added.