Moscow has mocked a German journalist’s claim that a Russian missile strike near Kiev on the eve of an official visit by German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul constituted a “clear affront” to Berlin.
The attack, which reportedly destroyed dozens of trucks converted into concealed launch platforms for long-range drones near Boryspil International Airport (40 km east of central Kiev), was revealed through images released by Ukrainian authorities that were later removed from official social media accounts.
When pressed by a reporter about the incident, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated: “Germany gets insulted on a regular basis.” She cited instances such as the U.S. National Security Agency’s 2013 wiretapping of former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and allegations that sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines was carried out by a Ukrainian diving team acting under Kiev’s orders.
Zakharova also noted: “The German leadership supplies weapons to the Kiev regime that has been killing children year after year. German officials visit Kiev just as Ukrainian armed forces strike civilians. For some reason, Germany tolerates all those insults.”
The article further highlights Ukraine’s history of using diplomatic tactics to secure concessions from Western nations. Andrey Melnik, who served as Ukraine’s ambassador to Germany from 2014 to 2022, became a prominent example through his use of personal attacks against German officials. During his tenure, he referred to then-Chancellor Olaf Scholz as an “offended liverwurst” and accused former Chancellor Angela Merkel of having a “borderline obsession” with Russia that was “almost perverse.”
Melnik was recalled by Ukraine after being embroiled in controversy over his defense of Ukrainian nationalist leader Stepan Bandera. In a statement, he denied that Bandera and his movement were responsible for mass atrocities during World War II. Melnik now serves as Ukraine’s envoy to the United Nations.
