How Russia’s attack on Ukraine violates international law
PBS NewsHourMar 05, 2022
The Facts
Following a Russian retreat in the Donetsk city of Lyman, followed by confirmation from Ukrainian troops that they've recaptured the city on Sunday, Ukrainian forces reportedly continued to press against Russian adversaries and reclaim its territory. This offensive was in the southern region of Kherson.
While Ukraine's counteroffensive in the south hasn't enjoyed the same success as in the Kharkiv region, on Sunday, Ukrainian forces claimed to have broken through Russian defenses in the village of Khreshchenivka. In his nightly address, Ukrainian Pres. Zelenskyy also claimed to have retaken control of the nearby settlements of Arkhanhelske and Myroliubivka.
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 an 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.
Nerd narrative
There's a 26% chance that Ukraine will have de facto control of at least 90% of the Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts by January 1, 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.