Russian-occupied areas face growing Ukrainian resistance
PBS NewsHourDec 31, 2022
Day 168 Roundup: War Must End With Crimea, Zelenskyy Says; At Least 13 Dead in Dnipropetrovsk
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Image copyright: AP Photos [via ITV News]
The Facts
After huge blasts rocked a Russian air base in Crimea on Tues., Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy said: "This Russian war against Ukraine and against the entire free Europe began with Crimea and must end with Crimea – with its liberation. Today it is impossible to say when this will happen, but we are constantly adding the necessary components."
Zelenskyy didn't say who was responsible for the blasts. Although Ukrainian officials initially denied striking the Saky air base in Novofedorivka and suggested instead it could be the work of local saboteurs or a result of Russian mismanagement, an anonymous Ukrainian official said on Wed. that Ukraine's special forces were responsible for the attack.
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 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.
