Will Russia Go Nuclear? 7 Key Questions to Consider
TimeNov 25, 2022
The Facts
Russian officials reported that Ukrainian shelling in Ukraine's Donetsk region — controlled by Russian forces — damaged two thermal power plants on Sunday.
According to Russia's state news agency, the attack in Zuhres and Novyi Svit was carried out using a multiple rocket launcher system. While one person was reported killed, at least two thermal electric power plant employees in Novyi Svit were trapped under the debris. This comes as Moscow's unilateral ceasefire for Orthodox Christmas expired.
The Spin
Anti-Russia narrative
Putin's hastily announced ceasefire was part of an information war aimed at discrediting Ukrainians. Since Ukraine could not meet its terms suddenly, Russia intended to leverage the hostile rejection of its unilateral truce to make Ukrainians seem unwilling to cooperate. Moreover, the ceasefire was a sham. It was the Kremlin's ploy to buy more time to replenish and rearm its forces and move more soldiers to the front lines.
Pro-Russia narrative
Putin's declaration of a truce was significant as it was the first time either side had used the language of peace since the start of the full-scale invasion. Despite Ukraine's allies pledging to send armored vehicles, Russia offered a hand of Christian mercy to Ukrainians. The truce offered a glimmer of hope, which Ukraine shrugged off promptly. It is clear to Russians who they're dealing with and ensures that future opportunities for deception don't creep in.
