Russia Summons U.S. Diplomat Over 'Provocative Actions' of Journalists in Kursk Region

Russia has summoned a senior U.S. diplomat to protest against what it describes as 'provocative actions' by American journalists who reported from its Kursk region. Moscow claims the reporters, including those from the Washington Post and CNN, illegally entered the region with Ukrainian military forces, warranting prosecution.

In an escalating international incident, Russia summoned a senior U.S. diplomat on Tuesday to lodge a formal protest against American journalists reporting from the Kursk region. The Foreign Ministry accused the journalists, including those from the Washington Post and CNN, of illegally crossing into the area with Ukrainian military forces.

According to Moscow, the journalists' activities in the Sudzha border town, now under Kyiv's control, were part of propaganda efforts to highlight crimes purportedly committed by the Kyiv regime. The ministry's statement further suggested the involvement of U.S. private military companies on Ukraine's side, escalating tensions between the two nations.

The incident has been met with defiance from the U.S. outlets, with the Washington Post reaffirming its commitment to comprehensive reporting on the Ukraine-Russia conflict. As of now, CNN and the U.S. embassy in Moscow have not provided any comments. Similar protests were lodged against Italian journalists last week, who were also accused of illegal border crossings.

(With inputs from agencies.)