Day 69 Roundup: Russian Forces Reportedly Storm Azovstal Steelworks Plant, Civilians Arrive in Zaporizhzhia
The Facts
Russian forces have begun storming the Azovstal steelworks plant in Mariupol, according to the deputy commander of the Azov battalion, a Ukrainian regiment holed up in plant. This comes nearly two weeks after Putin ordered troops to blockade the plant.
Meanwhile, buses carrying civilians from Mariupol, including 150 who had been trapped in the Azovstal plant, began arriving in the Ukrainian-held city of Zaporizhzhia on Tues., after a UN-brokered evacuation over the weekend. 200 civilians are estimated to still remain trapped inside the plant, however.
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 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.