The Russian, who was later released, was hospitalised after the incident. However the Kosovan Prime Minister insisted the raid targeted organised crime, and accused Russia of seeking to “destabilise our region”. The arrests took place close to the town of Zubin Potok.
According to Kosovan police director Rashit Qalaj those seized in the main group consisted of 19 police officers and nine civilians.
Seven more people, believed to include the Russian national, were arrested for “preventing police from performing their duties” after allegedly taking part in a blockade to disrupt the operation.
Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov reacted angrily to news of the arrests.
According to RBC news he said: “What’s happening is the result of the EU and NATO’s appeasement.”
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He went on to accuse Western leaders of seeking to impose a cordon around Russia and force it to accept Kosovo’s independence.
Following the incident Serbian troops were placed on alert according to the AP news agency.
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, which has since been recognised by the US, UK and most EU member states.
However Russia and China refuse to recognise Kosovo as a sovereign state, and regard it as part of Serbia.
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NATO intervened militarily to stop war crimes in the 1998-9 Kosovo war, forcing Serb forces out.
On Twitter Kosovo’s Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj commented: “Kosovo institutions will treat the case of the Russian ‘diplomat’ in accordance with international conventions.
“Kosovo and regional countries are familiar with the Russian agenda to destabilise our region.”
Earlier this week Kosovo opened a 60km motorway connecting its capital, Pristina, to the North Macedonian border.