Day 202 Roundup: Russian Officials Call on Putin to Resign; Kharkiv Again Without Electricity
The Facts
In the wake of a hasty Russian withdrawal, as Ukraine's counteroffensive in Kharkiv continues, as many as 49 municipal deputies in Russia have signed a petition calling on Pres. Vladimir Putin to resign. The petition, tweeted by a St. Petersburg municipal deputy, Ksenia Tortstrom, makes no mention of the war in Ukraine but says Putin's actions "harm the future of Russia and its citizens."
As Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his latest address claimed the counterattack has now retaken 2.3K sq mi (6K sq km), Vitaly Ganchev, a Russian-appointed official in Kharkiv, claimed Ukrainian troops in the region outnumbered Russia's by eight to one.
The Spin
Narrative A
The stunning advance of Ukraine's armed forces in Kharkiv – including the recapturing of Izium, Kupianst, and other logistically important cities – is a masterstroke of military planning. Ukraine may have just turned the whole complexion of the war.
Narrative B
Kyiv still faces hurdles in winning this war. While Ukraine's surprise counterattack in the north-east should be celebrated, going on the offensive could be costly. It takes a greater toll on ammunition, equipment, and troops, and extending supply lines as Ukrainians advance puts them at greater risk of being attacked or cut-off.
