Russian FM Signals Intent to Capture Ukraine's Second Largest City

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Image copyright: Mert Gokhan Koc/ dia images via Getty Images

The Facts

  • Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov signalled his country's intent to capture the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv in an interview with Russian media on Friday.

  • Kharkiv, in Ukraine's north-east, is the country's second-largest city with a population of 1.3M. However, with it lying just 18 miles (30 km) from the Russian border region of Belgorod, Russian missiles take just 30 seconds to reach their targets in Kharkiv.

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The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

If Ukraine got the weapons it needed, it could hold its own and puncture Putin's arrogant view that time is on his side. However, as things stand, the situation is dire and Ukraine is under serious threat. Unless the US is able to approve more weapons soon, there's a realistic chance that the country could lose on the battlefield this year.

CBS

Pro-Russia narrative

Russia has remained approving of the prospect of negotiations and it's important to stress that these statements are not just for show. However, if serious negotiations are to take place, it's clear they cannot take place with Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He lost all trust after he unilaterally withdrew from the last round of talks. Russia needs a reliable negotiating partner to move forward.

TASS

Metaculus Prediction

Establishment split

CRITICAL

PRO

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