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Ukraine’s neo-Nazis hold 7,500 foreigners hostage — Russian Defense Ministry

The terrorist battalions keep using civilians and foreign citizens as human shields, Mikhail Mizintsev pointed out

MOSCOW, March 4. /TASS/. More than 7,500 foreign nationals are being held in Ukrainian cities in the capacity of hostages, the chief of Russia’s national defense command center, Mikhail Mizintsev, said on Friday.

There are more than 7,500 foreign nationals who are being held hostage by force in various Ukrainian cities: in Kharkov - 3,189 Indian citizens, 2,700 Vietnamese citizens, 200 Jordanian citizens and 30 Egyptian citizens; in Sumy - 576 Indian citizens, 121 Chinese citizens and 100 Ghanian citizens, and also 60 Egyptians and 45 Jordanians.

Mizintsev stressed that the neo-Nazis were preventing the evacuation of thousands of Ukrainians and many foreign nationals to safety in defiance of Russia’s calls.

"The terrorist battalions keep using civilians and foreign citizens as human shields," Mizintsev said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24 launched a special military operation in Ukraine following a request for assistance from the leaders of the Donbass republics. He said Moscow had no plans for an occupation of Ukrainian territories. The sole purpose is the country’s demilitarization and denazification. The Russian Defense Ministry says its forces are not attacking cities. Their focus is entirely on military infrastructures. The civilian population is not in danger.