This almost reads like the authors are trying to play both sides of the narrative albeit leaning mostly towards the western version. Plausible deniability for a future defense perhaps? A defense from whom? Propaganda never needed defending in the past, has it? The author or authors’ names are not provided, just the name of the media outlet is. Hmmm…why is the National Post, which is considered to be conservative, piggybacking on someone else’s words?
“They have, allegedly, shot civilians dead in the street, looted householders and shops and lobbed grenades and fired tank shells at random. Although some Russian units have treated residents with respect, locals say that others have gone rogue — apparently surprised that they have been greeted as invaders rather than liberators.
With most of the villages largely cut off, reliable testimony is difficult to come by.”