Day 152: Ukraine Claims Kherson Will Be Recaptured by Sept. as War Enters 6th Month
The Facts
Ukrainian officials claimed that Kyiv's forces have reached a "turning point" in the battle to retake the southern region of Kherson, which was captured by Russia on Mar. 3, and that Western weapons will help liberate the city by September.
It comes as Russian media reported that officials in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia are preparing to hold referendums in Sept. on the regions joining the Russian Federation. Vladimir Rogov, a member of Russia's military administration in Zaporizhzhia, said: "It is highly likely that the referendum will be held simultaneously in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, as successes on the line of contact have assured security."
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.