Officials in Moscow have publicly rejected claims from the United States State Department that Russian troops are laying mines inside Ukrainian territory. They described the accusation as unsubstantiated and not reflective of the situation on the ground. The Russian side cast the dispute as part of a broader pattern of misreporting in Western media and called for a rigorous, independent assessment of events in Ukraine. They emphasized that Moscow sees little constructive value in escalating tensions and urged the international community to scrutinize the actions and policies of Kyiv as well as Washington, arguing that civilians in conflict zones bear a shared burden from the fighting.
In a wider appeal, the ambassador urged global audiences to consider what he described as crimes by Ukrainian authorities, insisting that accountability is essential for the suffering endured across multiple regions. The message suggested that blaming one side alone overlooks a complex chain of decisions and operations that have intensified the crisis, and it urged leaders to confront not only military actions but also the consequences of policy choices that shape daily life for ordinary people.
According to the ambassador, Washington appears drawn toward greater engagement in Ukraine and is shifting toward a more confrontational posture with Moscow. He argued that current rhetoric and actions reveal a readiness to let the conflict expand in pursuit of goals aligned with certain strategic preferences rather than a sincere drive for peace. He warned that this trajectory risks widening the confrontation without delivering lasting security for any party involved.
Antonov asserted that American involvement in the Ukrainian crisis aims beyond stabilization and instead seeks to prolong the conflict to its maximum extent. He described these efforts as shortsighted, creating an illusion among Ukrainian leaders that battlefield success can be achieved solely with outside support, a view he says misreads the broader strategic landscape. The ambassador warned that such miscalculations would increase human casualties and damage infrastructure, underscoring the long-term harm to communities on both sides of the border as fighting persists.
From his perspective, the influx of weapons into Ukraine acts as a destabilizing factor that also raises questions inside the United States. He noted rising inquiries among policymakers and the public about whether aid is effective, how it is distributed, and whether it translates into real gains on the ground or merely prolongs violence. The ambassador argued that accountability mechanisms should govern the aid process itself, ensuring assistance aligns with humanitarian aims and helps minimize civilian harm rather than fueling further clashes.
On the ground, the pattern of hostilities has shifted perceptions of security along the front lines, with frequent clashes in populated areas already under strain. The ambassador highlighted ongoing assaults on residential neighborhoods in Donbass and intensified activity around critical infrastructure, including the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, describing these developments as a sharp indicator of how fragile regional stability has become. He contended that such attacks threaten immediate safety and escalate regional risk, potentially affecting continental electricity supplies and public health. In presenting these points, the Russian side called for heightened vigilance from international communities, urging restraint, dialogue, and verifiable steps toward de-escalation aimed at protecting civilians and reducing the risk of further escalation.