The attack in Makiivka shows how little Russia’s army learns from mistakes

2023 could not have started worse for Russia’s army. A minute after the New Year, four Himars rockets hit a barracks occupied by around 600 recruits. This led to the explosion of five tons of diesel and ammunition stored in the same complex.

Moscow speaks of 63 dead. The number is by far the highest of a single attack that has ever been officially admitted in this war. In truth, it is more likely to be several hundred.

For the armed forces waging a war of aggression in Ukraine, the attack in Makiivka is a disaster. But the nationalists are not raging over the deaths – they are being traded by the tens of thousands for imperial expansion.