ANKARA, March 9. /TASS/. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday denounced the attacks against Russian students and cultural figures over the events in Ukraine as a manifestation of fascism.

"We condemn the attacks on students and cultural figures from Russia in a number of countries, as well as criticism of Russian culture. We consider such actions unacceptable. This is a manifestation of fascism, which does no good for the legitimate struggle of the Ukrainian people," the Turkish president said during a speech in Ankara.

Erdogan also likened what is happening now to a witch hunt.

On March 6, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stressed that Russian diplomatic missions have been under threat for the past few months and are practically blockaded. According to her, children and women, employees of foreign missions, compatriots and cultural and historical activists have been receiving "mail with envelopes containing incomprehensible substances and threats."

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 reassured that Russian troops are not targeting Ukrainian cities, but are limited to surgically striking and incapacitating Ukrainian military infrastructure. There are no threats whatsoever to the civilian population.