MOSCOW, January 30. /TASS/. Kiev has taken 12 civilians out of the Kursk Region and is holding them captive in Sumy, demanding the release of Ukrainian war criminals in exchange, Rodion Miroshnik, Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry for Crimes of the Kiev Regime, has told at a news briefing.

"The 12 Kursk civilians continue to be held hostage on Ukrainian territory in the city of Sumy. For many months, Kiev has been demanding the release of Ukrainian war criminals held prisoner in Russia in exchange for the return of the civilians," Miroshnik noted.

"Investigative actions currently ongoing in the Kursk Region reveal ever more atrocities committed by Ukrainian Nazis. It is reliably known that 460 civilians were killed by Ukrainian militants, including two minors, with 1,279 civilians wounded or maimed. The fate of more than 500 civilians remains unknown," Miroshnik added.