Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 27 of the invasion
GuardianMAY 2022
Biden Confirms Russia Fired Hypersonic Missile At Ukraine
Image copyright: AFP/Getty Images [via Washington Post]
The Spin
Anti-Russia narrative
Russia is desperate with its back against the wall. The invasion of Ukraine is a failure, with Russian troops stuck. The Kremlin is trying to boost its position by using one of its "super weapons". Russia may also have used it because Moscow is short on precision guided munition.
Pro-Russia narrative
Russia has a clear technological advantage over NATO, as the Western Alliance cannot counter its hypersonic missiles. The use of the Kinzhal has unsettled the West and might reorient their approach toward Russia's operation in Ukraine.
Narrative C
Russia and NATO are developing a tacit set of rules and red lines to attempt to avoid a direct confrontation in Ukraine. However, tensions are high, and military wild cards bring a risk of miscalculation and escalation that neither side presumably wants.