Thread by @NikaMelkozerova

Here are some basic facts that might help in Ukraine coverage. Thread:
1. Russia's war against Ukraine. Not Ukraine conflict, or Ukraine crisis. Why? Because Russia occupied Crimea in 2014 and has been supporting its proxies in the Donbas-Russian passports holders⬇️

2. Russia claims it is not part of the conflict. Russia lies. Even the Russian court in Rostov recently accidentally revealed Russia's military presence in Donbas. Before that Russian soldiers were "guarding" illegal referendum in Crimea.⬇️

3. Russian-controlled areas of Donbas, not Rebel-held or separatist-held areas. Because those people do not fight for independence, they want to become a part of Russia.⬇️

4. Ukraine's Russian-speaking minority has pro-Russian views and wants to be with Russia. Also false. The Russian language doesn't make you Russian property. Russian-speaking Ukrainians fight against Russia as well as Ukrainian speakers. Diving us by language you play for Kremlin

5. "Russia might invade any minute. Run for your life". Hello, guys! Russia invaded 8 years ago and has been leading hybrid warfare against Ukraine, which has already killed 14,000 people. So "Russia might renew active phase of war" would be more accurate.

6. Ukraine suppresses the Russian language, culture, and Russians. Also false. For that just go to Kyiv or any other city or town and you will hear mostly Russian there. The only thing Ukraine did is it made Ukrainian a priority language for documents, media, and service. ⬇️

This was one of the toughest decisions made. But it was necessary due to the fact that our own language was suppressed in our own country for ages, dabbed as "silly, peasant" and so on. ⬇️

7. Ukraine suppresses freedom of speech. Here I would partially agree. However, in the times of war blocking some openly pro-Russian and disinformation TV channels is also unpopular, but I guess somehow necessary. It doesn't make us look beautiful, but⬇️

It is very hard to stay 100 percent democratic when Russia fuels millions into aggressive propaganda, that messes up the minds of a nation, already weakened emotionally by the ongoing war.

7. Don't use Ukrainian journalists or experts for coverage as they are biased, they have agenda. It is better to ask Western English-speaking analysts, who would give you a balanced picture. Won't agree. Ideally, use your Western experts, but use Ukrainian ones too. ⬇️

By not using Ukrainian voices while telling stories about Ukraine you leave us out of our own narrative, and by that, you confirm our status of a less important country that has no voice and that is ok. That also plays for the Kremlin. Ukrainians deserve to tell their own story!

Last but not least. Ukraine also has propaganda, as every other country in the world. However, here it is not so well-funded as the Kremlin propaganda. So please ask local reporters, which outlets should be used as sources of info. I would not use 112TVUa, RT. END

Forgot to say the main thing. Kyiv, not Kiev. And no, it is not because we want to interfere in the English language. Yeah, I would prefer our language to use original transliterations too. It is just that this is the real name of our city and we want the world to know it is KYIV