As “Battle of the Donbas” Begins, Russia Launches 1,200+ Strikes Across Ukraine; 7 Killed in Lviv

Ukraine’s president says Russia has started a major offensive to seize the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine while launching missiles at targets across the country. We go outside of Kyiv to get an update from Peter Zalmayev, director of the Eurasia Democracy Initiative. Facing a stronger resistance from Ukrainian defenses than anticipated, Russian President Vladimir Putin is practicing “scorched-earth tactics” and “venting his anger on Ukraine,” says Zalmayev. “His goal remains controlling all of Ukraine, or at least making it a failed state.”

#DemocracyNow



FOLLOW DEMOCRACY NOW! ONLINE:

[randystevens]

This gentleman is essentially a spokesman for Zelensky, not informative at all.

[usmanabdullahi]

Next time bring an expert please, this man is an embarrassment. Talking about things that everybody knows is not true like they are.

[tomgnyc]

"Far right Azov regiment". You mean "Nazi Azov regiment". Don't mince words.

[BearFish]

2000 civilians…, chemical weapons… what a bullshit

[inwani]

Probably one of the least objective interviews you have had on this war.

[TheAllAmericanSocialistMTR]

I like how he brags about the sinking of a Russian ship but fails to mention the obliteration of Ukraine's entire Navy. Just call it like it is, no need to be a propagandist.

[samatchaapaisuwan]

Ukraine is so important to that Biden's business.

[MomchilNikolovPhoto]

This interviewee provides such a spin, it's hard to watch.

1. about heavy bombing in Azovstal "pure scorched earth tactics" - what are you talking about? The Russians gave them an opportunity to surrender during this past weekend and there is another window to surrender literally today! They chose not to - hats off to them. So now they fight. And that's what fighting looks like - they get bombed. What "scorched earth" are you talking about?

2. civilians hiding in Azovstal? Really? Why is no one asking themselves why we have seen no footage of said civilians? The Azov commander can film a video of himself spilling lies, but he can't film those civilians? He can't show how scared they are? Come on!

3. Even IF there were civilians there, how come they did not escape during the surrender windows? Why do they remain inside? Who benefits from those civilians staying inside Azovstal? Do you see how obviously wrong this narrative is? How can we believe this when logically it makes no sense. IF there are civilians there now, it would be only because Azov is not allowing them to leave. There is no other explanation. In which case Russia can't be held accountable, let's be realistic here.

4. Mariupol has de-facto fallen for weeks now. A week ago we had French journalists touring the drama theatre in the center of the city, inspecting the damage. The nearly 2'000 Ukranian soldiers who surrendered in Mariupol are being treated in the Mariupol city hospital - there is plenty of footage about that. The hospital is working and tending to the wounded. Humanitarian aid is being handed out, I've watched huge lineups of people receiving food from Russian trucks. This has been going on for literally weeks now. The city is not "besieged". The city is in Russian control and only the Azovstal steel plant remains as a pocket of Azov battalion resistance.

[jelfrank]

Jesus, where did you get this guy? He’s like a mouthpiece for NATO. He quotes Thomas Friedman? You’ve got to be kidding me. If you need intelligent commentary checked out one of the guys at the Duran

[MrWideballs]

Battle of Donbas 8 years and still going

[elatomala]

I like reading comments in all the video's I watch. The talking heads talk and the truth is found in the comments!

[matthewokner]

begins? they have been fighting since 2014 in the donbas.... segment should be "intensifies" not begins

[luperamos]

This is the biggest garbage I listened to on Democracy Now for a while. I may as well have turned on CNN.

[shaunmulligan]

As a long-term supporter of the Democracy Now news team, I have been disappointed with their lacklustre coverage of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Peter Zalmayev of the Eurasia Democracy Initiative is a regular contributor to those defenders of democracy; the BBC, CNN, etc. Why mention an unproven chemical weapon attack other than to encourage the warmongers? Zalmayev’s outlook reveals a preference for Zelenskyy over Putin.

[abdullahbarak]

I strongly believe that Democracy Now should rethink its approach towards guest speakers. 800 foreign fighters " he can't corroborate the number " however he raises his hand to emphasize the 2000 civilians. both numbers from the same location. this person not very reliable

[oghyeahoo]

America wonders how gun proliferation is happening while, The same America is providing arms to Ukraine ?
Hypocritical maybe !?

[joyfuljoyful]

This man's views suck he's biased that ship was as old as the hills, where the heck did he come from Amy?

[steveaustin]

The mercenaries won't give up. They'll be tried as the criminals they are. That's why they've not surrendered. That guy is highly biased

[amypowell]

The war in Donbas started years ago. Also, Why call the Neo-Nazi Ultra-Nationalist Azov fighters "far right" instead of "Neo-Nazi Ultra-Nationalist Azov fighters"?

[stanleywh]

Can we just skip the joker speech … I felt so disgusted seeing him hearing his speech