Russian ambassador to the UK interview in full - BBC News

BBC News2 minutes read

The war in Ukraine has resulted in thousands of deaths and 14 million displaced due to Russia's invasion, with escalating conflict and civilian casualties despite claims of limited operation. Russia justifies its actions as preventive measures to prevent a potential Ukrainian attack on Donbass, with disputes over responsibility for devastation in Ukrainian cities like Mariupol and threats towards the West dismissed as unlikely.

Insights

  • Russia justifies its military actions in Ukraine as preventive measures to protect the Russian-speaking population and prevent potential Ukrainian attacks, despite escalating into a full-scale war with civilian casualties.
  • Disputes over responsibility for devastation in Ukrainian cities like Mariupol highlight the complexity of the conflict, with differing perspectives on the causes of destruction and the need for journalists to visit the Donbas region for a firsthand understanding.

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Recent questions

  • What is the ongoing conflict in Ukraine about?

    The conflict in Ukraine involves Russia's invasion, resulting in thousands of deaths and millions displaced.

  • Why is Russia involved in the conflict?

    Russia claims its involvement is to prevent a potential Ukrainian attack on Donbass and to assist independent republics in the east.

  • Are civilians being targeted in the conflict?

    There are disputes over civilian casualties, with Russia denying targeting civilians and allegations of both sides committing similar acts.

  • How are Western countries responding to the conflict?

    The UK is considering supplying more arms to Ukraine despite concerns about European peace and stability.

  • What is the economic impact of the conflict on Russia?

    Despite sanctions, Russia's economy has not significantly suffered, with inflation rates around 15%, while the UK faces 10-12% inflation.

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Summary

00:00

Escalating Conflict in Ukraine: Russia's Justification

  • Thousands of people have died in the ongoing war in Ukraine, with 14 million displaced since Russia's invasion.
  • Russia claims the conflict is a limited operation, citing the need to present the other side of the story.
  • Ukrainian forces are concentrated in a highly fortified area in the east, allegedly planning an offensive against Russian-speaking residents.
  • Russia justifies its actions as preventive measures to stop a potential Ukrainian attack on Donbass.
  • Despite claims of a limited operation, the conflict is escalating into a full-scale war with civilian casualties.
  • Russia insists on targeting only military infrastructure in Ukraine to reduce their offensive capabilities.
  • Russian forces aim to assist and help the independent republics in the east survive and rebuild.
  • Russian troops deny targeting civilians, emphasizing their professional conduct in the conflict.
  • Allegations of Russian soldiers targeting and killing civilians are refuted, with accusations of Ukrainian forces committing similar acts.
  • Disputes arise over the responsibility for the devastation in Ukrainian cities like Mariupol, with collateral damage and differing perspectives on the causes of destruction.

17:37

UK considers arming Ukraine amid Russian threats.

  • The UK is considering supplying more arms to Ukraine, disregarding the potential consequences for European peace and stability.
  • Despite sanctions imposed on Russia, the economy has not significantly suffered, with inflation rates around 15% in Russia and 10-12% in the UK.
  • Threats have been made towards the West, including the suggestion of a Russian nuclear attack on Britain, which is dismissed as unlikely.
  • The use of tactical nuclear weapons in the conflict in Ukraine is deemed improbable according to Russian military doctrine.
  • There is a call for journalists to visit the Donbas region to witness the situation firsthand and gain a more comprehensive understanding of the conflict.
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