Day 142 Roundup: Death Toll from Vinnytsia Strike Rises to 23
The Facts
At least 39 people are still feared to be missing after Russian cruise missile strikes rocked the central Ukrainian city of Vinnytsia on Thursday. Local officials said at least 23 people, including three children, have now been confirmed dead. They added that of the 66 people taken to hospital, five remained in critical condition while 34 sustained severe injuries.
In the wake of the attack, Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of terrorism. "Every day Russia destroys civilian population, kills Ukrainian children," he said. "It is a killer state. A terrorist state."
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.