Day 161 Roundup: Russia Accuses US of Direct Involvement in War; Refugees from Ukraine Exceed 10M
The Facts
For the first time in the course of the war, Russia has accused the US of direct involvement in the conflict. Speaking with the BBC, Lt. Gen. Igor Konashenkov, a spokesman for Russia's defense ministry, said the assessment came after calls from Ukrainian officials were intercepted.
Konashenkov alleged the calls showed the US were approving targets for American-supplied rockets. Russian officials previously said the US was fighting Russia via a proxy, but stopped short of naming it a direct belligerent.
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.