Day 287 Roundup: Washington 'Neither Encouraged Nor Enabled' Ukraine to Strike Within Russia, Says Blinken

Image copyright: Reuters [via Reuters]

The Facts

  • US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday that Washington has "neither encouraged nor enabled" Ukraine to strike targets inside Russia, after three attacks were recorded at Russian airfields in the past week.

  • Russia has repeatedly warned the US and its allies not to cross "red lines" by supplying long-range weapons to Ukraine — this has so far been heeded by western nations to avoid a major escalation. Nonetheless, Blinken said he's determined to ensure Ukrainians have, "the equipment that they need to defend themselves, to defend their territory, to defend their freedom."


The Spin

Anti-Russia narrative

Attacks on airfields deep inside Russian territory will have struck a major psychological blow to the country's officials. Now Moscow's leaders will have to think long and hard about how to protect its long-range bombers from future attacks.

Pro-Russia narrative

Putin has already met with Russia's Security Council about the attacks, and new measures are being adopted to further secure Russian airfields. The situation is under control.


Metaculus Prediction


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