Day 333: Moscow Warns of ‘Global Tragedy’ if West Escalates Conflict
On Sunday, head of Russia's lower house of parliament Vyacheslav Volodin warned the US, as well as NATO countries, that Moscow would retaliate with "more powerful weapons" if the West continues to arm Kyiv.
Facts
- On Sunday, head of Russia's lower house of parliament Vyacheslav Volodin warned the US, as well as NATO countries, that Moscow would retaliate with "more powerful weapons" if the West continues to arm Kyiv. "Taking into consideration the technological superiority of Russian weapons," said Volodin, "this could end up being a global tragedy that would destroy their countries."
- The comments come as Germany continues to face growing pressure to send its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine or approve their transfer to Ukraine by other nations. James Cleverly, Britain's Foreign Minister, has weighed in on the issue, saying he wants Germany to send the vehicles. Lativa, Estonia and Lithuania's foreign ministers have jointly urged Berlin to provide the tanks to, "restore peace in Europe quickly."
- In reference to the controversy, Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak has blamed the West's indecision for the "deaths of Ukrainians." Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy reportedly believes that roughly 300 of the 2K Leopards currently in warehouses across Europe could help Kyiv achieve victory over Moscow.
- On Sunday, which marked the occasion of Unity Day — a date celebrating the unification of Ukraine in 1919 — Zelenskyy urged the nation to "keep fighting" to restore an independent state. In his video address, the President warned: "If we fail to achieve true unity, independence will be lost."
- Elsewhere, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have reportedly killed 600 Russian soldiers and destroyed two multiple-launch rocket systems, five tanks, nine artillery systems, and 12 armored combat vehicles in the last 24 hours.
- According to the Russian army, Moscow's troops are pushing towards two towns – Orikhiv and Hulyaipole – in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region and have "taken more advantageous lines and positions."
Sources: Politico, Washington Post, BBC News, President, Pravda, and Moscow Times.
Narratives
- Narrative A, as provided by The Atlantic. Making sure Ukraine remains well-armed is the only way to fend off Putin and Russia in this unprovoked war of aggression. The US and NATO must not simply offer their latest and most hi-tech weapons. Combat is about supply lines, and the West must ensure basic equipment and ammunition are kept flowing as needed.
- Narrative B, as provided by AntiWar. Multi-billion dollar weapons packages will make little difference in the war's outcome. The US has been meddling in Ukraine since the end of the Cold War, and what we're witnessing is a geopolitical Ponzi scheme to benefit those aligned with the military-industrial complex. War is a lucrative racket.
