MOSCOW/KYIV - The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday it had summoned Italy's ambassador to Moscow to lodge a protest regarding the "illegal entry" of Italian broadcaster RAI's crew into the Kursk Region to cover Ukraine's attack.
The film crew of RAI "illegally entered the territory of Russia to cover the criminal terrorist attack by Ukrainian militants on the Kursk Region," the ministry said in a statement.
"A strong protest was expressed to the ambassador in connection with the actions of the film crew of Italian state television and radio company RAI, which illegally entered the territory of the Russian Federation," the ministry said.
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It said the actions committed by Italian citizens fall under the criminal code of Russia, adding that the relevant authorities are taking the necessary steps to establish the circumstances of the crime for their legal assessment and taking appropriate measures.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian troops said they have advanced from one to three km in some areas in the Kursk region since the beginning of Friday.
"Fighting continues along the entire frontline. Overall, the situation is under control," Oleksandr Syrsky, commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, said in a video posted on the official Telegram channel of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
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In particular, Syrsky informed that hostilities are underway near the village of Malaya Loknya in the Sudzha district.
Ukrainian troops captured Russian soldiers in the Kursk region, the commander said, without giving details.
According to Syrsky, Major General Eduard Moskalyov has begun his work as the head of the military commandant's office created in the Kiev-controlled areas of the Kursk region.
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Ukraine started a military operation in the Kursk region on Aug 6.
On Thursday, Syrsky said that Ukraine had taken control of 82 settlements in the conflict-hit region.
With Reuters inputs
