The Russian Ministry of Defense believes that the unauthorized use of a mobile phone among Russian soldiers was the reason behind the attack in Makeyevka in Donetsk.
On New Year’s Eve, Ukraine launched a large-scale artillery and missile attack on the Russian occupation forces in the Ukrainian city of Makivka, which is under Russian control.
The building, which housed a large number of Russian soldiers, was destroyed in the attack from the Ukrainian precision weapons.
attack led to violent anger Against the military leaders of Russia. But the Russian Defense Ministry blames the soldiers who were in the building.
– It is already clear that the main reason for what happened was the operation and widespread use of mobile phones, although such use is prohibited in areas within the range of enemy weapons, according to a statement issued by the ministry.
Russia is still investigating the New Year’s weekend attack, but believes it is clear that the use of mobile phones enabled Ukraine to learn the location of the soldiers and carry out the missile attack.
Adjusts the death toll upward
A total of 89 soldiers were killed in the attack, which took place in the village of Makeyevka in the Russian-controlled Donetsk Oblast region at midnight on New Year’s Eve. The death toll is an upward adjustment from 63 previously reported.
It is very rare for the Russian authorities to admit such a heavy loss among their own soldiers. Since the invasion began on February 24 last year, Russia has acknowledged this great loss.
On the Ukrainian side, nearly 400 were said to have been killed in the attack, but this number is not confirmed by other sources.
School building
The Ukrainian attack targeted a school building in Makievka, where a large number of Russian soldiers were staying. According to the Russian authorities, American HIMARS missiles hit the building.
Satellite company Maxar released images showing Makiivka before and after the attack. Here you can see the remains of the bombed building.
In Russia, many are angry at defensive driving. The criticism is aimed at the fact that, according to the critics, the Defense Command should have known that the building was within reach of the Ukrainian forces.
– Champions
In his New Year’s address, Putin hailed Russia’s “heroes” in Ukraine, but made no comment on the attack, which killed at least 89 servicemen.
Lieutenant-General Serge Severyukov says that the officers who were supposed to ensure that the rules on banning mobile phones in Makevka are respected will be held accountable.
Severyukov also claims that Russian forces destroyed the Ukrainian missile system used in the attack on Makeyevka, as well as four other launchers for HIMARS missiles, and that 200 Ukrainian servicemen were killed in the attacks on Druzhkivka in Donetsk.
Ukrainian authorities claim that one person was killed in the Russian attack on Drozkivka, in which only one skating rink was destroyed.
Sadnes
Relatives gathered on Tuesday in several cities in the Russian Samara region, to which a number of dead soldiers belong.
In the city center of Samarra, about 200 people laid flowers in memory of the fallen, and an Orthodox priest said a prayer.
Soldiers also fired salutes during the event, with many in attendance carrying the flag of the ruling United Russia party.
– It’s very hard, and it’s scary, but we won’t let ourselves be broken. Sadness brings us together, said Ekaterina Kolotovkina, the leader of a group of women whose husbands were in the war, during the ceremony.
A similar commemoration was held in the city of Tolgati in memory of the soldiers killed at Makevka.
He wants revenge
Russian military correspondents believe that the responsibility for the attack lies with the defense command, and not with the soldiers who are now being blamed for their use of mobile phones.
The ammunition was also allegedly stored in the same building where the soldiers stayed, which some on social media described as “criminally naive”.
But during Wednesday’s celebration in Samarra, not a few criticized the defense leadership, but many vowed revenge. One of them was Kolotovkina.
– Together we will crush the enemy, we have no other choice, she said, addressing the mourners.
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