Russia taking ‘operational pause’ in Ukraine ahead of new assault, analysts say
PBS NewsHourDec 29, 2022
Day 135 Roundup: At Least 9 Civilians Killed as Ukraine Official Warns of Humanitarian Disaster in Severodonetsk
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Image copyright: Reuters [via CNN]
The Facts
At least nine civilians have been killed and more than 26 injured by Russian shelling in the last 24 hrs, local officials said on Friday. Pavlo Kyrylenko, head of the Donetsk Regional Military Administration, said six civilians were killed and 21 were injured in Kramatorsk, Slovyansk, Avdiivka, Siversk, Pokrovske, and Orlivka. The remaining casualties reportedly occurred in Kharkiv.
Meanwhile, Serhiy Gaidai, Ukraine's governor for Luhansk – a region now fully occupied by Russian forces – warned that Severodonetsk faces a humanitarian disaster as there is no water, gas or electricity in the city. Furthermore, he claimed that 80% of the buildings have been destroyed.
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.
