MOSCOW, March 3. /TASS/. Russia is doing its utmost to provide the necessary assistance to citizens and diplomats of third countries to safely leave Ukraine, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a news briefing on Thursday.
"We have been receiving many requests from the embassies of third countries in Ukraine for assistance in ensuring the safe departure of their citizens, diplomats and staffers of international organizations," she said. "We have been doing all we can. Our country’s Defense Ministry is working along these lines in the first place to furnish the necessary assistance. We are always on line."
Zakharova said that the situation in Ukraine was getting worse with the uncontrolled growth of crime, intentionally triggered by the Ukrainian authorities.
"Tens of thousands of pieces of small arms were distributed to those who wished to have them. Convicts have been released from jail," she added. "Nationalism is acquiring extreme manifestations, smacking of plain racism. Africa and Asia-born nationals are exposed to discrimination and violence. The purpose of these actions is obvious: to create chaos and maximize civilian casualties."
Zakharova stressed that in contrast to the neo-Nazi battalions, which were intentionally destroying and putting out of order crucial infrastructures the Russian military personnel were taking every measure to maintain the security of such facilities as the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and Zaporozhye nuclear power plant.
"We are urging the international organizations concerned to be aware that the Ukrainian authorities are supplying them with disinformation," Zakharova said.