KYIV — A Ukrainian diplomat has been censured for allegedly striking a female Russian flight attendant in an argument over service, RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service reports.
Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleksandr Dykusarov told journalists today that Foreign Ministry employee Volodymyr Konovalov had first argued with the attendant, Irina Shcherbakova, aboard the Hanoi-Moscow flight on April 4.
Dykusarov said the incident that earned Konovalov a reprimand took place after the plane landed at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport.
Dykusarov did not specify what the incident involved, but Russian media reported that Konovalov struck Shcherbakova.
“After Konovalov arrived in Kyiv, he phoned Shcherbakova and offered her apologies for his behavior,” Dykusarov said.
“Taking into account requirements for Ukrainian diplomats, Volodymyr Konovalov was verbally reprimanded,” he added.
Dykusarov said the ministry now considers the matter closed.
Russian media reported that Shcherbakova sustained injuries that required medical treatment.
Russian authorities have not charged Konovalov, who enjoys diplomatic immunity.
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