Local Ties to Russia Weigh in

FREEPORT, GRAND BAHAMA – Reports on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have largely focused on Russia’s aggression and the casualties on the Ukrainian people.

Our Jerome Sawyer speaks with someone from that region who shares a perspective not often heard on this side of the world.

Grand Bahama resident Ina Simmons has lived here for 25 years.

Born in Lithonia under the communist rule of the former Soviet Union.

She is of Russian heritage and speaks the language fluently, which allows her to “literally” hear both sides of the conflict.

While the western media has shown mainly Russian aggression against the Ukrainians.

Simmons says Russian media reports claim genocide against Russians and tells stories of extremists inside Ukraine.

Whether substantiated or not, it’s a side of the story we have not heard on this side of the world.

It’s the opposition to NATO’s expansion and claims of neo-Nazi forces in Ukraine which – on the surface – are being used by Russian president Vladimir Putin – to stage these attacks.

What’s worse, Simmons does not see the Russians backing down any time soon.

She cites the eight-year conflict in the Donbas region as fueling Russian aggression.

This weekend the Kremlin-based Russia Today Network was banned in Europe and Canada on claims it was toxic, giving harmful disinformation.