Tensions in the North/ Russia reacts strongly and explodes in accusations against the West: Stop the propaganda and do not blame the Serbs for the incidents in Kosovo

Russia asked the West to stop its "propaganda" after 30 soldiers of the NATO peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, KFOR, were injured during clashes with Serbian protesters in Zveca.

"We call on the West to finally stop its false propaganda and to stop blaming the incidents in Kosovo on the desperate Serbs who are trying to defend their legitimate rights and freedom through peaceful and non-armed means." said the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Russia, which is an ally of Serbia, does not recognize Kosovo's independence.

KFOR said on Tuesday that three soldiers were wounded by gunshots and that the violence caused on Monday in Zveçan by the "aggressive crowd" was "unprovoked".

Since May 26, tensions in the north of Kosovo, inhabited by a majority of Serbs, have increased, after the entry into the municipal buildings of Zveçan, Leposaviç and Zubin Potok of the new Albanian mayors of these municipalities.

On May 29, Serbian protesters opposed the new Serbian presidents and demanded the withdrawal of special units of the Kosovo Police from the north.

The international community has condemned the actions of Kosovo and described the visit to the municipal buildings of the new mayors as "forced entry".

The European Union has requested that Kosovo suspend police operations around municipal buildings in the north, as a first step to de-escalate the situation.

Meanwhile, Serbia has demanded that the special units of the Kosovo Police leave the north.

The authorities in Kosovo have defended their decision to send the new mayors to the municipal buildings, under police escort.

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, for the violence in the north on May 29, has accused Belgrade of "leading the extremist crowd".