Russia Is Claiming Its Troops Have Taken Control of One City Called Hessen

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Ukrainian officials are warning that the situation at the Russian occupied Zaparija nuclear power station is approaching critical. The United States will never recognize Russia's claims to any purportedly annexed parts of Ukraine. How do people in these regions where these referenda are being held see themselves? As Russians or Ukrainians, both are they actually going to buy into Putin's messaging here?

The Russian president is calling on reservists and holding fake referenda to legitimize his war. Washington Post reporter Mary Ilyushina explains.

This episode was produced by Jillian Weinberger and Amanda Lewellyn, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Paul Robert Mounsey, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

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