Status: 01/02/2023 5:10 p.m
Russia has admitted high losses in the Donetsk region: 63 soldiers were killed in a Ukrainian airstrike in Makiivka, the Russian Defense Ministry said. The Ukrainian military even reported 400 dead.
Ukraine apparently killed many Russian soldiers in an airstrike. The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed this and spoke of 63 dead. The Ukrainian military even reported 400 dead and 300 injured. Ukraine fired six rockets from Himars multiple rocket launchers and two were intercepted, the Russian ministry said in a statement.
The US-supplied Himars missile launchers have proven extremely effective for the Ukrainian military. Strategically important targets in Russian-occupied areas were repeatedly hit with it.
Biggest loss to date for Russia
The attack took place on New Year’s Eve on the Russian-controlled town of Makiivka in the Donbass. It is the largest Russian loss in a single Ukrainian attack that Russia has announced since it began its offensive. Moscow rarely comments on its own losses.
According to media reports, those killed were reservists who were called up as part of the partial mobilization ordered by President Vladimir Putin. They are said to have gathered in the building for a New Year’s celebration. Images and a video of the remains of a completely collapsed building could be seen on social networks. More dead and injured were suspected under the rubble.
The Ukrainian military is said to have become aware of the location due to the high level of data traffic from mobile phones. According to unconfirmed reports, the destroyed building was next to an ammunition depot, which is why there were devastating explosions.