Kremlin launches propaganda counter-offensive after “Makiivka tragedy”

Vienna The deadly attack by the Ukrainians on a building housing 600 Russian recruits on New Year’s Eve is putting increasing pressure on the army leadership in Moscow. A spokesman confirmed 63 dead on Monday. The Ministry of Defense has now corrected this number significantly upwards again: The four Himars rockets and the subsequent explosion of diesel tanks would have killed 89 people, including the deputy regiment commander.

In truth, there may have been even more: Semjon Pegow, who appears under the pseudonym “Wargonzo”, said the list of missing persons was significantly longer. Ukrainian bloggers speak of 300 to 400 dead, according to government advisor Anton Herashchenko, 196 bodies can only be identified by DNA analysis due to the massive destruction.