Agreement with Russia is ‘deal with the devil,’ adviser to Ukrainian president says
Associated PressJUL 26 2024
Zelenskyy Praises Strikes on Russian Military Sites
Above: Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy gives evening address on July 26, 2024. Image copyright: President of Ukraine
The Facts
In his evening address on Friday, Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged what he described as "very intense battles and pressure from the Russian army" but went on to praise Ukrainian strikes on Russian military sites.
Earlier in the day, it was reported that Ukraine hit two Russian military sites in Crimea with US-supplied ATACMS missiles. In the latest successful strikes on the peninsula, military bloggers reported that Ukraine's Armed Forces struck the Novofedorivka military airfield, destroying a radar station and a weapons depot.
A second strike with ATACMS missiles reportedly hit a Russian air defense site near the village of Shovkovychne. A pro-Russia military blogger reported that a UK surveillance aircraft had operated near Crimea on July 24 and provided Ukraine with targeting information.
The Spin
Pro-Ukraine narrative
While Ukraine is facing intense battles on the frontlines, special gratitude has to be shown to the Ukrainian warriors who strike Russian bases and logistics on the occupied territory. Russian invaders must feel that this is Ukrainian land.
Pro-Russia narrative
Given the Western-backed attacks on Crimea, which chose to be part of Russia in a transparent referendum more than a decade ago, Russia is under no illusions as to how the Western countries will approach the settlement of the crisis in Ukraine.