How the U.S. and Europe found solidarity over Ukraine - The Washington Post
Washington PostJan 28, 2023
Day 341: Russia Claims Control Over 9 Villages in Zaporizhzhia
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The Facts
Russian forces have taken control of nine villages in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, a pro-Russia official in the local administration claimed on Sunday. "The enemy has been driven out of nine villages in exploratory attacks and these villages have been taken under control," Vladimir Rogov said.
The names of the villages were not identified and the claims could not be independently confirmed. However, in its latest assessment, the Institute for the Study of War — a US military think tank — suggested sizeable Russian gains in the Zaporizhzhia region.
The Spin
Anti-Russia narrative
Arming Ukraine is crucial to help maintain Ukraine's electricity, heating, and water infrastructure, as well as fend off Russia's systematic missile attacks. The clock is ticking loudly. It's time for Ukraine to arm up to win back its territory. Powerful tanks — both M-1 Abrams and Leopard 2 — and F-16 fighter jets could turn the tide of a war that has threatened to descend into a prolonged stalemate.
Pro-Russia narrative
It is no secret that Ukraine's war effort would have collapsed long back without the West's support. The 11-month-long Western intervention now threatens to escalate the Russia-Ukraine conflict into an all-out direct war between NATO and Russia. The move to arm Ukraine with modern offensive weapons is extremely dangerous and takes the conflict to a new level of confrontation.
Nerd narrative
There is a 2% chance that Ukraine will officially recognize a former Ukrainian territory (Luhansk, Donetsk, or Crimea) as independent before 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.