Critics are mounting in Russia after the strike of the night of December 31 to January 1 against Russian soldiers in Makiivka, in eastern Ukraine, whose death toll is 89 according to Moscow. The Kremlin blames the use of mobile phones by the military on New Year’s Eve, despite the ban on doing so, which allowed Ukrainian forces to geolocate this concentration of Russian soldiers.
The initial toll announced by the Russian government of 63 dead was revised upwards on Wednesday, after the discovery of new bodies in Makïïvka. The strategic communications department of the Ukrainian army claimed a much heavier toll in the Russian ranks, amounting to 400 dead and 300 wounded. According to the Russian media, the victims were mobilized, therefore non-professional soldiers.
- ‘Commanders’ negligence’ to blame for death of 89 Russian soldiers
The announcement of this heavy toll by Russia – the heaviest in a single attack admitted by Moscow since the start of the offensive in February – did not fail to provoke new criticism of the military command, already castigated since Monday for his “incompetence” by correspondents and commentators. The boss of the RT channel, the spearhead of the Kremlin’s propaganda internationally, Margarita Simonian, called for the names of the Russian officers involved to be published and to take “the measure of their responsibility”.
Many Russians are calling on social media for a transparent investigation into the circumstances of the strike. ‘It is not cellphones and their owners that are to blame, but the banal negligence of commanders, who I am sure did not even try to relocate staff’ out of the building, the group blasted. “Notes from a veteran” on Telegram, which has 200,000 subscribers.
- “No complaints” from Washington
In reaction to this new Russian setback, John Kirby, the spokesman for the American National Security Council, declared on Wednesday January 4 to the press that there is “no lamentation on the part of the (American) administration This is war. The Ukrainians have been invaded and they are fighting back and defending themselves.” “Russian soldiers on their territory are a legitimate target of military action for Ukraine, period,” he added. “We are providing and we will continue to provide (the Ukrainians) the equipment and the help they need to defend themselves. And yes, we have provided Himars and we could very well provide more in the future,” warned the spokesperson.
- Shelling resumes in Donetsk and kills two
Several towns in Donetsk have been hit by shelling over the past 24 hours, according to a message posted by the region’s governor on Telegram. Fighting is still raging to gain ground on both sides, in this Oblast claimed as annexed by the Russian Federation since September. Several private houses were reportedly hit, causing two deaths “in the direction of Horlivka and one person was injured in Bakhmut”, according to Pavlo Kyrylenko.
- France offers the first Western tanks to Ukraine
During a telephone interview, Emmanuel Macron for his part announced by telephone on January 4 to his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky that France would deliver French-made AMX-10 R “light combat tanks” to Ukraine, according to the ‘Elysium.
“This is the first time that tanks of Western design have been supplied to the Ukrainian armed forces”, affirmed the French presidency. According to Paris, Emmanuel Macron, who reaffirmed to Volodymyr Zelensky the “unwavering support” of France “until victory”, thus wanted to “demonstrate the durability and continuity” of French military aid. On Twitter, Volodymyr Zelensky thanked France for this new aid. The number of tanks and delivery times were not specified.
Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Kirill proposes a ceasefire in Ukraine during the Orthodox Christmas holiday on January 7. “I address all parties involved in the fratricidal conflict to call on them to establish a ceasefire and seal a Christmas truce from 12 noon on January 6 to midnight on January 7,” he wrote. in a message posted on the Church’s website. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also called on Vladimir Putin for a “unilateral ceasefire” on Thursday morning January 5.