Big guns and small drones have become a devastating combo in Ukraine
NBCJul 28, 2022
Day 79 Roundup: Russian Forces Make Gains in Luhansk, EU Commits Over $500M More to Ukraine
Image copyright: The New York Times
The Facts
Ukrainian forces reportedly continued a counteroffensive in the northeastern region of Kharkiv on Friday. This comes as satellite imagery from BlackSky and the European Space Agency taken May 12 appear to show three bridges vital for the Ukrainian advance blown up, likely during the Russia retreat.
Elsewhere, according to military analysts, Russian forces now likely control almost all of Rubizhne in the Luhansk region, and have seized the town of Voevodivka. It appears likely that they will cease efforts to encircle Ukrainian troops along the Izyum-Slovyansk-Debaltseve line in favor of launching shallower encirclements and a ground offensive on or around Severdonetsk shortly.
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-China narrative
NATO and the US have ignored Russia's security concerns by breaking their promise not to expand eastward in return for German reunification. These concerns are legitimate and taking them seriously would have avoided the Ukraine tragedy.