Putin Visits Troops in Russian-Controlled Regions of Ukraine

    Photo: The Kremlin [via AP Photos]

    The Facts

    • In footage released by the Kremlin on Tuesday, Russian Pres. Putin visited troops in the regions of Kherson and Luhansk — two of four Ukrainian regions which Moscow claimed to have annexed last year.

    • Although the exact date of the visit couldn't be confirmed, Putin congratulated troops on Orthodox Easter — which was celebrated this past Sunday — and presented them with religious icons.


    The Spin

    Pro-establishment 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.

    Nerd narrative

    There is a 1% chance that Ukraine will officially recognize a former Ukrainian territory (Luhansk, Donetsk or Crimea) as independent before 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.


    Public figures in this story


    Establishment split

    CRITICAL

    PRO

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