MOSCOW: The Russian defense ministry announced on Monday that Kyiv forces used US-supplied Himars Rocket Systems to strike a camp, resulting in the deaths of 63 Russian troops in eastern Ukraine.
The Ukrainian military claimed, without naming the strike, that the death toll from a strike in the town of Makiivka in the Moscow-controlled eastern region of Donetsk was significantly higher.
According to a statement released by the defense ministry, “63 Russian servicemen were killed as a result of a strike by four missiles with a high-explosive warhead on a temporary deployment point.”
The defense ministry stated, “The relatives and loved ones of the deceased servicemen will be provided with all the necessary assistance and support.”
The announcement of Russian losses in Ukraine was extremely unusual.
Although the defense ministry did not specify the time of the strike, it is believed that Ukrainian troops struck as Russian troops were ringing in the new year.
In a conflict that has dragged on since President Vladimir Putin ordered Russian troops to invade on February 24, last year, it was the largest death toll reported by the Russian side thus far.
Critics of the Kremlin claim that Russian authorities minimize losses in Ukraine.
Previous Russian nonconformist pioneer Igor Strelkov said he got a report about the strike around 1 am on January 1 (2200 GMT on December 31).
He added that the Ukrainian army struck a facility that housed mobilized troops, adding that “hundreds” have been killed and wounded.
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Fresh Russian strikes on New Year
At least five people were killed by Russian strikes on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day in various parts of Ukraine.
On Monday, Iranian-made drones fired again at the Ukrainian capital, but Ukrainian forces claimed that most of them were shot down by air defenses.
Vitali Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv, said that an explosion had occurred in the northeast of the city and that emergency services had been called in.
He stated, “A 19-year-old man with injuries was hospitalized in the Desnyanskyi district of the capital.”
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He was said to have been struck by the falling debris by authorities later.
The power company Ukrenergo stated that the electricity supply situation in Kyiv was now “more complicated” following the strikes.
Russia’s New Year attacks — which designated midtown areas of enormous urban communities — show an adjustment of strategies, said a counselor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Mykhailo Podolyak tweeted, “Russia no longer has any military goals and is trying to kill as many civilians as possible and destroy more civilian facilities.” A conflict to kill.”