Russian journalists from the propaganda Zvezda channel (Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation) have arrived in Ukraine, stating that their visit was private and not related to professional activities. This was reported to LIGA.net by sources in the State Border Guard Service.
The interlocutor told that employees of the channel controlled by the Ministry of Defense of Russia entered Ukraine "on a private visit".
"They did not introduce themselves as journalists, especially of Zvezda. They said they were on a private visit to relatives", - the interlocutor said.
Another source in the SBU noted that the identities of journalists have been established. "They will not get to Ukraine for the second time", - the interlocutor said.
Another interlocutor in the security agencies noted that what was happening was a special operation of the Russian Defense Ministry in connection with a statement by the President of Ukraine that Russian journalists could come to Donbass. "They provoke us. Zelensky invited them to look at the Donbass. The agents of the Russian Defense Ministry were the first to come and do the provocation so that we would immediately expel them and thereby refute the president's words", - the interlocutor said, calling for "keeping cool head".
At the same time, the SBU speaker Olena Hitlianska stated that the department was ready to respond, if the guests violate the law. "If they violate the law, they will be detained and expelled from the country", - she said.
As previously reported, the crew of the Russian propaganda channel Zvezda arrived in Kyiv to shoot stories about the situation in Ukraine. Russian journalists stated that no one asked the purpose of their visit while passing through the passport control, although, allegedly, by the appearance of the operator with camera, it was clear that he was a media worker.