Ukraine says its troops threaten Russians in Donbas
NBCDec 24, 2022
The Facts
Russia on Tuesday backed what appeared to be choreographed requests for referendums in regions of Ukraine controlled by its soldiers, paving the way for the formal annexation of up to 15% of Ukrainian territory. The regions include the self-proclaimed Donetsk (DPR) and the Luhansk People's Republics (LPR), as well as Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. The move has been met with international outcry.
This comes as Ukraine reported further gains in the northeastern Kharkiv region on Monday, with its forces claiming to have crossed the Oskil River and now control its eastern bank. Ukrainian forces also claimed to have recaptured the village of Bilohorivka in Luhansk – a small yet symbolic gain that shows Russia no longer controls the entire region. Ukraine also said it retook control of the "ghost village" Bohorodychne in the Donetsk region on Tuesday.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
This invasion is an egregious violation of international law. Putin's ultimate aim is to restore the Soviet empire, even if it takes massive bloodshed and false pretexts such as calling the 2014 Ukrainian revolution after an election a "coup". This unprovoked attack is the latest chapter in Putin's Orwellian attempt to rewrite history.
Pro-Russia narrative
NATO and the US have ignored Russia's security concerns by breaking its promise not to expand eastward in return for German reunification. These concerns are legitimate and taking them seriously would have avoided the Ukraine tragedy.