Talking Points: Ukraine - April 25, 2023. Counterattack in Bakhmut, made up media stories, and more Russian lies

Text Edited by: JSgt. Sarah Ashton-Cirillo of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Photo Credit: JSgt. Sarah Ashton-Cirillo of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

---

1. Defense of Bakhmut

■        The heroic defense of Bakhmut continues! At this time, Ukrainian soldiers are not only defending the city but are also actively counterattacking. Every day the tactical positioning of the Armed Forces of Ukraine improves.

■        Despite the enemy’s efforts and lies, Bakhmut is not surrounded. This fact was accentuated by General Oleksandr Syrskyi visiting the city again.

■        Bakhmut’s strategic importance is found in its coverage of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk. In addition to those two cities, Bakhmut is a crucial gateway to the entire Donbas.

■        By focusing its strength on the main enemy forces on the assault of Bakhmut, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are repelling enemy attacks in other directions, allowing military and civilian leadership time to prepare a devastating counterattack.

 2. Mass Media Reporting on Ukrainian military plans

 Media outlets, specifically The Washington Post, reported on the alleged existence of a plan by leadership in Kyiv to launch massive strikes on Moscow on the anniversary of the full-scale invasion. Ukraine allegedly refused at the request of the United States.

■        These statements are patently false and not based on any truths. The Office of the President of Ukraine publicly and unequivocally debunked the allegations.

■        Unfortunately, this is not the only example of journalism outlets sharing unreliable information about the war.

■        The alleged plan of an attack on the enemy capital would be a one-time move, which would not have brought Ukraine either military or political success. Ukrainian leaders are too wise, experienced, and professional to waste energy or resources on such a ridiculous undertaking.

■        Ukraine fights against the invaders with a pragmatic focus based on logic and careful calculations.

■        Such irresponsible and fictitious news stories create a false impression of Ukraine. This undermines trust in its military and political leadership and disrupts the transfer of long-range weapons to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It was a story that benefited the purveyors of enemy propaganda.

 3. Russian lies at The UN Security Council

On April 24, the UN Security Council held a meeting chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation on the topic “Effective multilateralism through the defense of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations."

■        Russia continues to use the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council to spread propaganda and disinformation.

■        The justification of aggression against Ukraine as "the protection of Russia against threats from NATO" and "the protection of people deprived of rights" is another tired and ongoing lie by Moscow:

1. Russian aggression is the cause, not the result, of NATO expansion, particularly Finland's entry into the Alliance.

2. The real motive behind the Kremlin's hostility toward NATO is simple. The security guarantees offered to the Alliance’s member states make Russian aggression against the signatories impossible.

■       The presence of Russia in the chair of the UN, and even more so its chairmanship of the Security Council, discredits the foundations of international collective security.