Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine Changes What We Know About State Power
AtlanticSep 09, 2022
Day 129: Zelenskyy Accuses Russia of 'Deliberate Terror' Following Week of Deadly Strikes
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Image copyright: Ukraine Emergency Services [via AP News]
The Facts
Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy has condemned a Fri. morning missile strike on the Odesa village of Serhiivka, calling it an example of "deliberate, purposeful Russian terror." Authorities said 21 people, including two children, have now been confirmed killed and that a further 38 were injured.
It follows Russian missile strikes on the central Ukrainian city of Kremenchuk that hit a shopping mall on Monday. At least 19 people were killed. A further 8 civilians were reported killed after Russian strikes hit the southern city of Mykolaiv, near Odesa, on Wednesday.
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.
