Ukraine war briefing: Belgorod under fire after OK for strikes with US weapons
GuardianMay 22
Russian Strikes Target Ukrainian Energy Infrastructure
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Image copyright: Adri Salido/Contributor/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Coming in the wake of US approval for American weapons to be used in Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory, Russian missiles and drones targeted Ukrainian energy infrastructure in the early hours of Saturday.
Throughout the war, Russia has frequently launched large-scale retaliatory attacks on Ukraine following actions it deemed unacceptable or seen to be escalating the conflict.
The Spin
Anti-Russia narrative
Russia's deliberate targeting of energy infrastructure — unnecessarily increasing the suffering of civilians — amounts to war crimes. This continuing Russian barbarity must be confronted.
Pro-Russia narrative
Attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure are a direct consequence of the failure of the country's leadership to meaningfully engage in peace talks and thinking they can defeat Russia on the battlefield. These attacks will stop once a more sober position is reached.
