Ukraine Artillery Kills 25 Russian Marines, 1 Singer Gathered To Honor... Artillery Day

Curiously, a couple of weeks ago, Russian artillery killed a number of Ukrainian soldiers gathered for an awards ceremony, an attack much celebrated in Russian media, suggesting that the commanders of the Russian Marines don't read much. JL

Ido Vock reports in the BBC:

Polina Menshikh, a Russian actress, was killed in a Ukrainian strike while giving a performance to troops in a dance hall in occupied Ukraine. 20 Russian Marines were also killed. Members of Russia's 810th Marine Brigade were attending an awards ceremony on t Russia's Missile Forces and Artillery Day. The strike took place 60km (37 miles) from the front line, in  Kumachove, in the Donetsk region, an area occupied by Russia since 2014. Russian bloggers criticised the the show, (as) a performance concentrating dozens of soldiers in one place made it an obvious target for a Ukrainian strike.

A Russian actress has been killed in a Ukrainian strike while giving a performance to troops, according to her theatre.

A dance hall in occupied Ukraine where Polina Menshikh was performing was hit by shelling on 19 November.

The actress was reportedly giving a show to celebrate a Russian military holiday. Members of Russia's 810th Marine Brigade were attending the awards ceremony near Starobesheve, Donetsk Oblast, on the occasion of Russia's Missile Forces and Artillery Day,

Ukraine said about 20 Russian soldiers were killed in the strike, but Russian authorities have not commented on this.

Ms Menshikh was giving a performance in a dance hall capable of seating around 150 people, according to local reporting.

A video purporting to show the moment of the strike was uploaded to social media. A woman, apparently Ms Menshikh, is seen on stage singing and playing guitar, before an explosion is heard and the hall's lights go out.

Ms Menshikh died in hospital of her injuries.

 

Speaking to the BBC's Ukrainian service, a Ukrainian army spokesperson confirmed media reporting of the strike.

Portal, a theatre studio based in St Petersburg associated with Ms Menshikh said an upcoming performance of a play she had previously directed would be dedicated to her memThe strike took place around 60km (37 miles) from the front line, in the village of Kumachove.

Kumachove is located in the Donetsk region, in the area of eastern Ukraine occupied by Russia since 2014. Other areas in the Donetsk region have been hotspots of vicious fighting in recent months, particularly the cities of Avdiika and Bakhmut.

Russian pro-war bloggers criticised the organisation of the show. A performance concentrating dozens of soldiers in one place made it an obvious target for a Ukrainian strike, they wrote.