"Torch-lit marches in Ukraine demonstrate that it is continuing to move along the path of the Nazis! And this is in the centre of civilised Europe!" Konstantin Dolgov, the foreign ministry's human rights envoy, wrote on Twitter.
Dolgov was referring to a procession attended by thousands in Kiev yesterday to celebrate the 106th birthday of Stepan Bandera, leader of World War II-era Ukrainian insurgents who battled against both the Soviets and the Nazis, but at times collaborated with Nazi forces who had invaded the Soviet Union.
However, in Ukraine Bandera is widely seen as a nationalist hero who took on the Communist regime.
Dolgov's comments came as the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov pushed for the reopening of Ukraine peace talks between representatives of Ukraine, the pro-Russian rebels, Russia and the OSCE that stalled last month.
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In a call between Lavrov and his Ukrainian, German and French counterparts, "The need was emphasised for the next meeting of the contact group to be held as soon as possible," the ministry said.
"It seems like the marchers must have realised the lameness of their views," Dolgov wrote sarcastically. "Otherwise, why attack Russian journalists who were carrying out their professional duty?"
Russia has reacted angrily to the alleged attack with the powerful Investigative Committee saying today it had opened a criminal probe into the incident. Unidentified attackers pushed a Life News journalist, took her phone and broke a camera, it said.