The Ukrainian attack on Makiivka on Sunday left 89 dead, according to a new toll by Russian authorities, faced with rare public displays of anger and sadness at memorial ceremonies for fallen soldiers.
The Russian death toll, initially estimated at 63, was revised after more bodies were found in the ruins of a building, Russian General Sergei Sevryukov explained in a video message released by the Russian Defense Ministry.
“Currently, a commission is investigating the circumstances” of the attack, he said. “But it is already clear that the main cause (…) is the activation and massive use of cell phones within range of enemy weapons, contrary to the prohibition”, which would have allowed the troops to be geolocated, added the general.
This is the highest death toll from a single attack admitted by Moscow since the offensive began in February.
The Strategic Communications Department of the Ukrainian Armed Forces claimed that the attack killed at least 400 deployed people and injured 300.
Sunday’s Ukrainian operation with the HIMARS rocket system hit a Russian base and sparked outrage and criticism among Russian military leadership, according to a US think-tank.
The latest report by the Institute for the Study of War cites messages in Russia’s news space and social media that reveal that the attack, in the partially occupied Donetsk region, has generated significant discussion and controversy, with several voices questioning the effectiveness of the leadership. military.
According to this report, the Russian Ministry of Defense is trying to deflect responsibility for the origin of the Ukrainian attack, denying blame on the operational security of its forces in the Donetsk region.
Military intelligence agents in Moscow received reports that the attack occurred when Russian soldiers breached operational security by using personal cell phones, which allowed Ukrainian forces to carry out a precision strike.
*With Lusa
