NARRATIVE ABOUT ALLEGED CAMPS IN SRPSKA REASON FOR NEW ILLEGAL SANCTIONS

SARAJEVO, OCTOBER 25 /SRNA/ - The narrative about alleged camps in Republika Srpska, where Russians are supposedly conducting training, is an attempt to cast a shadow on Republika Srpska and create a pretext for new illegal sanctions, the Russian Embassy in BiH told SRNA.

Commenting on claims from the U.S. Embassy, which cited reports from Moldova about these alleged camps and the motivation behind such information, the Embassy of the Russian Federation said that this represents another propaganda salvo from the West in its hybrid war against Russia, aimed at supporting the regime in Chișinău. They also added that this is an attempt to find an alibi for the complete debacle of a referendum, the results of which had to be quickly falsified to "prove the loyalty of the Moldovan people to the European choice." These statements indirectly aim to accuse the leadership of the EUFOR "Althea" operation of inaction, suggesting that it is allegedly negligent in fulfilling its mandate. "There has already been a precedent; remember the claims about mythical Russian camps a few months ago, which EUFOR categorically denied. The background is clear - demonstrate that the EU is unable to control the situation, which is why there is a need to return the mandate to NATO," the Russian Embassy said. They added that this is being done just ahead of a debate about extending the mandate of the "Althea" mission in the UN Security Council at the beginning of November. Another reason for the claims about camps in Republika Srpska is the West's intention to illustrate the alleged urgent need for the introduction of a visa regime for citizens of the Russian Federation with "concrete facts." The Embassy also reminded that President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin discussed these actions of the West with the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, in Kazan during the BRICS Summit, where he emphasized that this is about the demonization of Russia. "We reiterate that the Russian Federation does not interfere in the internal affairs of BiH, unlike the Americans who are trying to control political processes and political actors at literally all levels," says a press release. They expressed hope that the planned meeting between representatives of relevant structures of Republika Srpska and BiH will finally close this topic, and called on the authorities in BiH, certain politicians, and the media to show a responsible approach and refrain from getting involved in anti-Russian insinuations from the West.