Moscow: A Russian actress was killed in a Ukrainian attack while performing in front of Russian troops in eastern Ukraine, Reuters reported.
The 40-year-old Polina Menshikh was performing on stage in Russia-occupied Donbas region when she lost her life four days ago, according to the theatre company where she worked.
Military officials on both sides confirmed that Ukraine did launch an attack in the area on November 19.
Russian state television quoted a Russian military investigator as saying that a school and cultural centre had been hit by HIMARS missiles in a village in Donetsk region, 60 km from the front line.
The investigator said one civilian had been killed, without giving further details, but the Russian Defence ministry didn’t mention any casualties from the attack.
According to Ukrainian commanders, their forces struck what they claimed was a Russian military award ceremony, targeting Russia’s 810th Separate Naval Infantry Brigade.
Ukrainian military commander Robert Brovdi wrote in post on social media that 25 people had been killed in the strike and more than 100 wounded.
Unverified video footage on Telegram channels showed soldiers watching Menshikh singing on stage with a guitar on the day Russian military celebrates their missile and artillery forces.
In the middle of a song, there is a blast and sound of shattering glass can be heard before lights go out.
JUST IN: Russian actress Polina Menshikh was killed by a Ukrainian missile while performing for Russian marines.
The incident happened in the village of Kumachovo which is 40 miles from the front lines.
The strike was conducted by the Ukrainian military using a US-supplied… pic.twitter.com/7xNtawpBzT
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 22, 2023
