Mathernova to Zakharova: Nothing funny about using winter as weapon of mass destruction

Mathernova published her response on Facebook, Ukrinform reports.

"I was attacked on social media by the spokesperson of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharova. Not only as the EU Ambassador, but also as a woman. The reason is simple: I speak every day about the horrors of Russian attacks on Ukraine. I also stated publicly that during Russian strikes I sleep in my hotel bathroom, on a mattress," the diplomat wrote.

According to Mathernova, when a mouthpiece of the war's aggressor sexualizes a photograph of a woman sheltering from Russian missiles and drones, it "says nothing about me – nor about the European Union – but everything about the regime Maria Zakharova represents."

"I slept in the bathroom because that night Kyiv was witnessing another massive Russian combined assault – with drones and various types of missiles. Millions of Ukrainians have been sleeping for four years in basements, corridors, and shelters for the very same reason. There is nothing 'erotic' about frozen apartments, destroyed kindergartens, or hospitals left without heat at -23°C. There is nothing funny about using winter as a weapon of mass destruction," she said.

Mocking the suffering of civilians is not diplomacy, Mathernova said. It is pure propaganda – stripped of humanity.

"Nothing will stop me from truthfully informing the world about the horrors Russia is inflicting on Ukraine. I am accountable to the European Union, which I represent in Kyiv. And I am proud that the EU stood, stands, and will always stand with Ukraine," Mathernova said.

Earlier, Zakharova commented on Mathernova's post, in which she shared a photo of herself in a bathroom during a massive Russian missile attack on Ukraine. The Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson called it "a non-erotic photo of sexual life" and accused the diplomat of insincerity.