The US administration is spreading “absolutely terrible lies” to find an excuse for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which failed the counteroffensive, accused the Russian Embassy in Washington in a comment published in the diplomatic mission’s Telegram channel.

The diplomatic mission’s reaction came after White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the Russian military was executing soldiers who refused to follow orders.

“The (US) administration is using its favorite tool, throwing an absolutely terrible lie into the media space. The creator of such an unheard of lie could only be a person with an inflamed mind. And all this is only to find an excuse for their subordinates (not the Armed Forces of Ukraine) who failed the advertised counteroffensive,” the diplomatic mission said in a statement.

The Russian embassy emphasized that “this is an ugly statement, to the point of being extremely cynical and devoid of content.”

“All the insinuations of the representative of the White House, mentioned in the speech, are lies. On the battlefield, our soldiers act with courage, professionalism, and heroism. They are protecting their native land,” the Russian Embassy in the United States said.

The United States has information that the Russian military is executing soldiers who disobey orders related to the war in Ukraine, the White House said on Thursday, Reuters reported.

“We have information that the Russian military is actually executing soldiers who refuse to follow orders,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said at a press briefing.

“We also have information that Russian commanders are threatening to execute entire units if they try to move away from Ukrainian artillery fire,” a White House official said.