Russia-Ukraine war at a glance: what we know on day 609
GuardianNov 05, 2023
The Facts
Ukraine on Wednesday admitted to carrying out a car bombing of a pro-Russia lawmaker in the occupied Luhansk region — one of four regions Russia claimed to have annexed last year.
Mikhail Filiponenko had been engaged in Luhansk’s pro-Russian separatist movement since 2014 and went on to be a top commander in the breakaway region's military. In September, he was elected to the Russia-backed government of the region; his son told local news that Filiponenko was killed after an "explosive device detonated" in his car on Wednesday.
The Spin
Pro-Ukraine narrative
Ukraine's GUR is responsible for the killing of Mikhail Filiponenko. Not only did he facilitate Russia's torture camps, but he was also personally abusing prisoners. Ukraine will go after anyone who is a traitor and collaborates with the enemy.
Establishment-critical narrative
Under the standards of international law on war, committing assassinations is widely considered a war crime. Ukraine's actions in the case of Mikhail Filiponenko — as well as other suspected assassinations — are clearly beyond the scope of the law and should be condemned.