Russia has right to protect its security: Hezbollah leader

BEIRUT, Lebanon

The leader of Lebanese group Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, on Tuesday accused Ukraine and NATO of disregarding the rights of the Russian people, saying Moscow has the right to protect the country’s national security.

"America is responsible for the events taking place in Ukraine. It is the one who instigated and pushed matters in this direction,” Nasrallah said in a speech aired by the group’s Al-Manar TV.

Nasrallah argued that the rights of the Russian people were ignored by Kyiv and the NATO.

"Moscow has the right to protect its borders and national security,” he said.

The developments in Ukraine are “a lesson for anyone who trusts, relies on, and bets on the United States," Nasrallah added.

Russia's war on Ukraine has entered the sixth day, with Russian forces advancing toward the capital Kyiv. The war has been met with outrage from the international community, with the EU, UK and US implementing a range of economic sanctions against Russia.

At least 136 civilians, including 13 children, have been killed, and 400 others, including 26 children, injured in the Russian assault, according to UN figures.

Around 660,000 people have also fled Ukraine to neighboring countries, the UN Refugee Agency said.