All news

US cannot confirm media reports of Russian mobile crematoriums in Ukraine

The allegations suggested that Russia has brought mobile crematoriums to Ukraine to hide the bodies of its dead soldiers
US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf  state.gov
US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf
© state.gov

NEW YORK, May 28. /TASS/. The US State Department cannot confirm media reports alleging that Russia has delivered mobile crematoriums to Ukraine, US State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf told CNN on Wednesday. However, she continued to claim that Russia was trying to hide its presence in Ukraine.

This issue was raised on Tuesday by US media that referred to US lawmakers who visited Ukraine, and some US intelligence data. These allegations suggest that Russia has brought mobile crematoriums to Ukraine to hide the bodies of its dead soldiers.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in connection with these reports that "Frankly speaking, I doubt that these statements are trustworthy." The presidential spokesman said "of course, such allegations cast doubt that those who have published them are sane." "I do not say about those who have potentially voiced them," he added.

Moscow has repeatedly stated that there are no and can be no Russian troops in Ukraine.

Russia’s Defense Ministry for its part said that Chairman of the Armed Services Committee of the US House of Representatives Mac Thornberry, who told Bloomberg View, that Russia is allegedly trying to cover up its losses in the Ukraine with mobile crematoriums, should "get some psychiatric help."

"The Russians are trying to hide their casualties by taking mobile crematoriums with them," Mac Thornberry said. "They are trying to hide not only from the world but from the Russian people their involvement."

According to Bloomberg View, Thornberry said he had seen evidence of the crematoriums from both US and Ukrainian sources. He said he could not disclose details of classified information, but insisted that he believed the reports. "What we have heard from the Ukrainians, they are largely supported by US intelligence and others," he said.

"It’s hard to say what tick has bitten Congressman Thornberry that he talks such rubbish seriously, and even exaggerates its importance, referring to some "secret sources" that allegedly confirmed it," Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov said. According to him, "once the head of the Congress’ key committee has started to talk such nonsense publicly, it is easy to imagine the content and level of discussions held by Thornberry and his colleagues in the defence decision-making process behind closed doors."