Peskov: Punitive actions, torture ongoing in Kharkov region

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According to new intelligence, the Ukrainian side is carrying out several punitive actions in the Kharkov region, according to Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, who called them ridiculous and added that the special military operation would continue.

During a press conference, Peskov asserted that there were no Russian teachers in the Kharkov region, contrary to what Russian Education Minister Sergey Kravtsov had earlier stated.

"As for the residents of the Kharkov region, it is true that according to incoming information, there are now a lot of punitive actions that do not fit into any framework, people are brutalized, people are tortured, and so on. This, of course, is outrageous, the special military operation will continue," Peskov said.

The subject of mass mobilization in Russia is currently out of the question, according to Peskov. "This is out of the question at the moment," he told reporters.

Read next: US aided Kiev with offensive, Izyum, Kharkov losses minimal: Exclusive

On the latest Armenian-Azerbaijani clashes, Peskov told reporters that the Russian President is following up on the situation, stressing the necessity of ending any hostilities.

"Last night, [Russian President Vladimir Putin] had a phone conversation with Armenian Prime Minister [Nikol] Pashinyan. The situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border was discussed, a serious escalation of the situation that occurred there. In line with the conversation that took place, intensive work is now being carried out at the expert level, I will not say more now," he told reporters.

"Naturally, it is difficult to overestimate the role of Russia, the role of Putin personally. Naturally, the president is making every effort to help de-escalate tensions on the border. These efforts are ongoing," Peskov said.

In the same context, Peskov refrained from commenting on a possible role of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in deescalating tensions on the border.

"Since work is underway ... I would not like to announce anything before the approval process is completed," he told reporters.

Read next: Deaths, injuries in renewed clashes between Azerbaijan, Armenia