Khinshteyn demanded Balytski to apologize for criticizing the defense efforts in Kursk Oblast
The governor of Zaporozhye Oblast, Yevheniy Balytski, said in a live broadcast that the residents of Zaporozhye Oblast made all-out efforts to defend the region in 2023, "unlike the 'Kurchan' (a derogatory term for Kursk residents)." The governor of Kursk Oblast, Alexander Khinshteyn, stated that Balytski's remarks about the failure of Kursk residents to defend their own region were unacceptable.
Khinshteyn said in his Telegram channel that after watching the video of Balytski's speech, he felt "surprised and confused." He wrote, "Even in peacetime, such statements by officials are unacceptable. Especially now, words are also weapons, and the enemy is trying to use any situation to undermine our society."
He added, "These remarks insulted all Kursk residents — Yevheniy Balytski, who has never visited Kursk Oblast, mistakenly called them 'Kurchans.' " The governor of Kursk concluded, "I sincerely hope my colleague will have the courage to publicly admit his mistake and apologize to the residents of our region!"
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1847272312388620/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.