In the very first minutes of the New Year of 2023, the Armed Forces of Ukraine fired six missiles from the HIMARS at the point of temporary deployment of Russian soldiers in the Makeyevka area in the Donetsk People's Republic. Four missiles hit the building, which caused the ceilings to collapse. The number of deaths resulting from the strike in Makeyevka increased to 89, including the death of the regiment's deputy commander. According to the reports, among the dead and wounded were not only military but also civilian residents of the region.

The main reason for the missile strike, which led to the death of the soldiers, according to the Russian Defense Ministry, was the use of cell phones that were tracked by Ukrainian troops. The military department stressed that they would take all measures to exclude such accidents in the future. As a result of the investigation, the perpetrators will be brought to justice.

Most of those who got out of the hit building almost immediately rushed to save their comrades. After the EMT arrived at the scene, the survivors continued to help, risking their lives. According to the acting head of the Donetsk People’s Republic, some of those who initially survived the strike passed away during the rescue mission.

The command of the Joint Group of Russian Forces conducted a retaliation operation in response to Kiev’s strike at the point of temporary deployment of Russian soldiers in Makeyevka. The retaliation operation was concluded with a massive missile strike at the point of temporary deployment of the Ukrainian Armed Forces units in Kramatorsk, killing more than 600 Ukrainian soldiers. Russian troops also destroyed the launcher of the HIMARS missile system Ukraine initially used to strike Makeyevka on January 1.

About 60-70 soldiers wounded in Makeyevka were sent to the Samara hospital. The other survivors who required more advanced treatment were sent to the best hospitals in the country, including some in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

At Christmas, a farewell to the soldiers who died in Makeyevka was held in the cities and districts of the Samara region. Relatives and friends, neighbors, colleagues, and comrades-in-arms came to say their goodbyes to the deceased.

Conclusion

Ukraine’s strike on Russian soldiers stationed in Makeyevka which took lives of almost 90 people and injured even more was one of the defining moments illustrated by the Western media this week as a signal of Ukraine’s victory over Russian invaders. However, Russia’s retaliation strike soon after, which claimed more than 600 Ukrainian soldiers, was not given as much attention, which only proves how much of this war is being manipulated into one country’s glory and another country’s fall despite the actual number, facts, and truth.