The Ukrainian government is describing its offensive against pro-Russian separatists in the eastern part of the country as an "anti-terrorist operation," language that offends the separatists and Russia.
In turn, Russia is using even stronger language, saying that the Ukrainian military has launched a "punitive operation." While that may not carry any special meaning to Western ears, it has far more sinister implications for Russians.
A Russian friend of mine, professional interpreter Alevtina Potemkina, points out that the expression being used is karatelnaya operatsiya, a phrase that refers almost exclusively to Nazi atrocities carried out in German-occupied lands during World War II. She said she had never heard or read the phrase outside of the Nazi context.
Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, used the expression multiple times in statements to the state-run news agencies.
"The Kiev regime ordered combat aircraft to fire at civilian towns and villages, launching a 'punitive operation' and effectively destroying all hope for the viability of the Geneva agreements," Peskov said, referring to recent diplomatic efforts in the Swiss city aimed at resolving Ukraine's crisis.
Throughout the ongoing crisis, Russian officials have frequently made comparisons to the Nazis when speaking about the interim Ukrainian government and far-right groups that are hostile to Russia.
Russian officials say the Kiev government is made up of "fascists" and "neo-Nazis," conflating the Ukrainian authorities with the ultra-nationalist groups that took part in the protests that overthrew Ukraine's pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovych.
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