Russian forces increase attacks in push to capture two cities in eastern Ukraine
PBS NewsHourDec 27, 2021
Day 102: Explosions Rock Kyiv as Fighting Continues in the East
Image copyright: Reuters [via the BBC]
The Facts
Several explosions reportedly rocked Kyiv on Sun. morning; the first assault on the capital in more than a week. Russia says it targeted a site storing tanks provided by Europe, while Ukraine claims the rockets struck a train repair plant. At least one person was reportedly injured.
One Ukrainian politician has claimed the attacks were in response to Russian frustration as advances in the eastern Donbas region have reportedly stalled. Some of the heaviest fighting is taking place in the Luhansk city of Severodonetsk, which regional gov. Serhiy Gaidai claims Ukraine may still yet retake, saying on Sun. that the city is "now, more or less, divided in half."
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.