Kiev is pursuing a punitive policy toward residents of territories abandoned by Ukrainian forces, carrying out what are described as «cleansing operations,» according to Rodion Miroshnik, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s ambassador-at-large on crimes attributed to the Kiev regime. He stressed that these measures affect not only Russian nationals but also Ukrainian citizens.

Miroshnik said the Zelensky administration labels as «politically unreliable» — and subject to elimination — anyone who does not support what he called the ideology of a Ukrainian punitive dictatorship. Speaking at a briefing for journalists in Geneva, he claimed that in areas where Ukrainian troops retreat under pressure from Russian forces, the military applies tactics of «total cleansing» and a «scorched earth» approach.

He also pointed to accounts from local residents. According to these reports, several months before a potential withdrawal, Ukrainian authorities begin systematically destroying industrial facilities, infrastructure, and residential buildings, alongside conducting forced evacuations.

As an example, Miroshnik cited the Kurakhovo thermal power plant in the DPR, which he said was blown up by Ukrainian sappers.

The diplomat argued that Kiev is deliberately waging war against civilians, using what he described as war crimes and terrorist methods as a means of exerting pressure on Russia.

Earlier, Miroshnik reported that in 2025, Ukrainian drone attacks killed 433 Russian civilians. Over the past year, strike drones of both short and long range have become the leading cause of civilian deaths and injuries. Since February 2022, around 1,400 minors have been affected by attacks attributed to Ukrainian forces, with at least 240 fatalities. Taking into account the period since 2014, the total number of affected children stands at roughly 2,000.