Ukraine launched a missile strike on New Year’s Eve. According to media reports, the dead were reservists called up as part of the partial mobilization ordered by Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin. It is said that they gathered in the building for the celebration of the New Year. Images and a video of the remains of a completely collapsed building could be seen on social media. More dead and injured are suspected under the rubble.
The Ukrainian military reportedly became aware of the location due to the high level of data traffic from cell phones. According to unconfirmed reports, the building was located next to an ammunition depot, which is why the devastating explosions took place.
Reviews of Russian military bloggers
Russian military bloggers reacted angrily to the news. This related to the accusation that large amounts of ammunition had also been stored on site in the immediate vicinity of the accommodation. Igor Girkin, a prominent former commander of pro-Russian forces in Ukraine, also wrote about storing military equipment without camouflage. “Who had the idea of putting too many employees in one building when even an idiot knows that one artillery round would result in many dead or injured?” wrote blogger Archangel Spetznaz Z, who has more than 700,000 followers on Telegram. . “Every mistake has a name.”
Russia, meanwhile, continued its airstrikes on Ukrainian cities for the third consecutive night. Kyiv’s government said all 39 Iranian-made drones that were fired at the capital and other cities were shot down. Ukrainian officials interpreted the successes they listed as a sign that the Russian strategy of attacking energy infrastructure was increasingly failing due to improved air defenses. The series of attacks over three nights indicated a new Russian tactic: previously, major attacks were carried out about a week apart.
On Monday, the governor of the Bryansk region of Russia reported on a Ukrainian drone strike. After that, the power went out, explained Alexander Bogomas on Telegram. Twelve hours later, he added that the damage had been completely repaired. This information also could not be independently verified.
Russian forces suffered several defeats in Ukraine in the second half of 2022. They lost more than half of the territory they had occupied since the start of the invasion in February. In contrast, according to available information, the front lines have changed relatively little in recent weeks. Thousands of soldiers would have died in intense fighting.
Stoltenberg: long-term support
NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg, meanwhile, told the BBC that NATO must be prepared to provide long-term support to Ukraine. Russia mobilized new forces. “It indicates that they are ready to continue the war and possibly try to launch a new offensive,” Stoltenberg said. Maintaining the weapons systems delivered to Ukraine is at least as important as the debate over other weapons. “We need a huge amount of ammunition. We need spare parts.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed the European Union’s long-term support for Ukraine. In a conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, she “send my unreserved support and best wishes to the Ukrainian people for 2023,” the German politician wrote on Twitter. The payment of the 18 billion euros foreseen for 2023 will begin shortly.