Ukraine Conducts Successful Offensive Against Russian Troops
Ukraine conducted a successful military offensive against Russia. The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed this and spoke of 63 casualties. The Ukrainian military even reported 400 dead and 300 injured. Ukraine fired six rockets from HIMARS multiple rocket launchers and intercepted two, the Russian ministry said in a statement.
The US-supplied HIMARS missile launchers have proven highly effective for the Ukrainian military. Strategically important targets in Russian-occupied areas were repeatedly hit with it.
The offensive occurred on New Year’s Eve in the Russian-controlled town of Makiivka in the Donbas. It is the most extensive Russian loss in a single Ukrainian offensive that Russia has announced since it began its offensive. Moscow rarely comments on its own casualties.
According to media reports, those killed were reservists who were called up as part of the partial mobilisation ordered by President Vladimir Putin. They are said to have gathered in the building for a New Year’s celebration. Images and a video of the remains of a completely collapsed building could be seen on social networks. More dead and injured were suspected under the rubble.
The Ukrainian military is said to have become aware of the location due to the high level of data traffic from mobile phones. According to unconfirmed reports, the destroyed building was next to an ammunition depot, which is why there were devastating explosions.
