Russian Foreign Minister has made several claims about the war in Ukraine in an interview with the BBC.

Sergei Lavrov said his country had allegedly not invaded Ukraine, but had to launch a “special operation” through the West, which “engaged in criminal activities involving Ukraine in NATO”.

“You know, we did not invade Ukraine. We announced a special military operation when we had no way to explain to the West that it was involved in criminal activities by involving Ukraine in NATO”, - said the Minister.

The BBC journalist asked Lavrov to comment on the fact that in the village of Yagidne, Chernihiv region, the Russian military detained 360 people for 28 days.

“You know, unfortunately, and international officials, including the High Commissioner for Human Rights, including, unfortunately, the UN Secretary-General and many other United Nations officials, are under pressure from the West”, - Lavrov replied.

“So Russia is white and fluffy again?” - journalist asked.

“No, Russia is not white or fluffy, Russia is what it is, and we are not ashamed to show ourselves as we are”, - added the Russian minister.

He also said that if Ukraine receives long-range weapons from Western countries, Russia will then push away from its borders the line through which the threat may emerge.