Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine Changes What We Know About State Power
AtlanticDec 29, 2022
Day 130: Deadly Strikes in Russia's Belgorod, Majority of Lysychansk Under Russian Control
Image copyright: AP Photos [via AP News]
The Facts
At least three people were killed and four more were injured in Ukrainian shelling of the Russian border city of Belgorod, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Sunday. He also said the attacks struck 11 apartment buildings and 39 private homes, five of which were completely destroyed.
Pro-Russia officials also reported that Ukrainian troops launched two attacks, using Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS), on Melitopol, the southern Ukrainian city occupied by Russia in the first days of the invasion. There were not any indications of civilian casualties at the time of reporting.
The Spin
Anti-Russia 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 a fraudulent 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.