Dozens of Russian soldiers killed when Ukrainian missiles hit buildings in occupied Ukraine’s Donetsk region over the weekend, It is one of the worst days for the Russian military since the war began over ten months ago.
“The Kyiv regime launched an attack, firing six projectiles from US-made HIMARS multi-rocket launchers at Russian forces near Makeyevka,” the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
Two rockets were shot down, but four smashed into the building and surrounding areas, the ministry said. The ministry said the attack killed 63 servicemen, but details remain unknown. Dmitry Azarov, governor of Russia’s Samara region, said an unspecified number of residents were among the casualties.
Ukrainian authorities did not claim responsibility, but estimated the death toll at nearly 400, sarcastically blaming “careless handling of heating appliances, neglect of security measures, and smoking in unspecified areas.” condemned.
Igor Strelkov, a Russian military blogger and former Minister of Defense of the Segregated Regions, said: telegram The building was almost completely destroyed after ammunition stored in the same building exploded.
“Almost all military equipment standing next to the building without a trace of camouflage was also destroyed,” he wrote. “Many people are missing under the rubble.”
Strelkov also said that Russian officers “prefer to stay out of range of enemy missiles and away from reliable military locations.”
Daniil Bessonov, a Russian-appointed official of the Donetsk regime, has called for the punishment of the officer who ordered the large number of troops to be stationed at the facility.
Kyiv residents ring in the New Year amid attacks:Zelensky Says Ukraine Will Not Forgive: Update
Other developments:
► Russian officials claim to have shot down a Ukrainian drone approaching the Russian city of Voronezh, about 400 miles from the Ukrainian border. No damage or injuries were reported, the local government said in a statement.
A Ukrainian drone attacked an energy facility in Russia’s Bryansk region along the Ukrainian border, Bryansk region governor Alexander Bogomaz said on Monday. The village was left helpless, he said.
EU leader pledges to help Ukraine over winter
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday, pledging to immediately launch $18 billion in aid in monthly payments. She added that the EU will continue to help Ukraine with generators, light bulbs, shelters, school buses and other essentials during the winter.
In a social media post, she said, “I have sent the people of Ukraine my heartfelt support and best wishes in 2023.” We support the heroic struggle, the fight against freedom and brutal aggression.”
Kyiv claims to have destroyed 40 Russian drones
Russia has deployed multiple exploding drones in another nighttime attack on Ukraine, officials said Monday.
The barrage was the latest in a string of brutal year-end attacks, including one that killed three civilians on New Year’s Eve.
On Monday, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said 40 drones “headed for Kyiv” overnight. According to the air defense forces, they were all destroyed.
Contributed by Associated Press
