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A Nobel Peace Prize-winning Russian journalist has declared that President Putin can no longer legitimately claim victory in Ukraine, as the conflict enters its fifth year. Dmitry Muratov, former editor of the independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta, told the BBC that while Russia may be capable of destroying Ukraine, it cannot conquer the nation. He emphasized that any outcome from a war that has caused mass casualties among two Slavic populations cannot reasonably be considered a victory.
Muratov warned of escalating rhetoric surrounding nuclear weapons use within Russia’s political establishment. He noted that nuclear weapons have been mentioned over 500 times since the beginning of the year, including discussions on state television and at official forums. While cautious about predicting Putin’s intentions, Muratov stressed the serious nature of such discussions occurring at high levels of government.
The journalist also criticized the security justifications offered for the 2022 invasion, questioning whether Russia’s security has genuinely improved given recent developments including Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian infrastructure and internal disruptions. Muratov’s comments reflect broader concerns about the war’s trajectory and its impact on Russia, while highlighting the severe restrictions on free speech that have intensified since the invasion began.
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