Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s body returned to his mother, spokesperson says
NBCMar 04
Report: CIA Maintains 12 Secret Bases in Ukraine
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The Facts
As the Russia-Ukraine war entered its third year over the weekend, the New York Times reported that the CIA has maintained at least 12 secret bases in Ukraine — all of them established prior to the Russian invasion.
According to the report, the bases date back to February 24, 2014 — eight years to the day from the start of the recent conflict when Ukrainian Pres. Viktor Yanukovych, who wished to maintain closer ties with the Kremlin, was undemocratically ousted from power and replaced by a pro-EU government.
The Spin
Pro-Ukraine narrative
America has been in close partnership with Kyiv throughout this conflict. At a time when many Ukrainians are wondering if the nation will turn its back on the fight against Russian expansionism, it is reassuring that ongoing links with the CIA and explicit commentary from its director have reaffirmed that aid isn't going anywhere.
Pro-Russia narrative
Russia has long known about CIA operations in Ukraine and these latest public revelations are nothing new. In fact, the CIA's operations in Ukraine go back prior to 2014 and are a key reason for this conflict starting in the first place. Clearly the West has long been entrenching its interests in the nation, undermining Ukrainian sovereignty and forcing Moscow to defensively drive potential threats out of its neighboring country.
