Day 99 Roundup: 20% of Ukraine Under Russia Control, Russia Warns Western Weapons 'Adding Fuel to Fire'
The Facts
In an address to Luxembourg's lawmakers, Ukrainian Pres. Zelenskyy on Thurs. said that 20% of Ukraine is now under Russian control, with the Donbas region "almost entirely destroyed."
This comes as Russian forces reportedly continue to tighten their grip of the Luhansk city of Severodonetsk, though regional Gov. Sergiy Gaidai on Thurs. said Ukraine has carried out some succesful counterattacks. Russia also continues to make incremental gains south of Izyum and west of Popasna, according to military analysts.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Making sure Ukraine continues to be well armed is the only way to fend off Putin and Russia in this unprovoked war of aggression. The US and NATO must not simply offer up their latest and most hi-tech weapons however – combat is about supply lines and the West must ensure basic equipment and ammunition are kept flowing as needed.
Establishment-critical narrative
Sending billions in weapons packages will make little difference to the outcome of the war. The US has been meddling in Ukraine since the end of the Cold War, and what we're witnessing is a geopolitical ponzi scheme to benefit those aligned with the military-industrial complex. War is a lucrative racket.
