Many people were killed in the attack, Russia speaks of at least 63 soldiers while Ukraine estimates 400 dead. “Here was a barracks next to an ammunition depot. This means making trouble because if the storage facility is attacked, many people will also die,” Hammelburg says.
In Russia, people are openly discussing why those people were in that place. “This question is being asked by politicians, veterans and even the pro-Russian commentator Igor Girkin,” says Hammelburg. Girkin was sentenced to life imprisonment by the court in The Hague and an international arrest warrant was issued for his involvement in the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17.
Coincidence or deliberate
The Ukrainian military confirmed that the attack on Makijivka, a city in Donetsk, had been carried out. However, the question is whether the attack was a fluke or not. Hammelburg thinks so. “I think that ammo shop was the target. The attack was carried out with Himars missiles, which are equipped with GPS systems and can be targeted very precisely. I assume these missiles weren’t aimed at the barracks, why would they? Tearing down an arms depot makes sense.”
Amazing Russian recognition
Hammelburg believes that the Russians themselves have recognized that the missile impact is substantial in several respects. “I think this is so big and serious that the Russian government couldn’t do much other than take the lead in reporting.” Fierce criticism in Russia after the bombing has also further increased the pressure on the Kremlin. ‘A sensible decision, because it is not convenient to repeat such a thing framing.’
It is very rare for Russia to make any announcements about military losses in Ukraine. According to the British newspaper The Guardian, this was the deadliest attack on Russian troops since the outbreak of war.
Hawaii, Iraq
There is a possibility that Ukraine will be accused by Russia of committing a war crime. Hammelburg draws a parallel to a Dutch bombing raid on Hawija in Iraq in 2015 with F16 fighter jets. “It was a very carefully selected target, but 70 civilians were killed. This incident is generally considered a war crime and also led to a claim for damages against the Netherlands.
Live Blog | Day 314 of the war in Ukraine