A shocking video shows the moment a Ukrainian HIMARS missile struck a building in occupied Ukraine and killed a singer and 25 Russian soldiers celebrating a holiday.
Performer Polina Menshikh, 40, could be seen singing on stage with a guitar seconds before a loud bang was heard and the ceiling began caving in. The footage, widely shared on the Telegram social media channel, then goes dark and shouting can heard.
The Russian state news agency TASS confirmed Ms Menshikh died in the explosion on Sunday in the village of Kumachovo in Russian-occupied Donetsk. Newsweek reported that 25 Russian soldiers had also been killed in the attack using the US-supplied M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS).
Local reports said the entertainment had been organised for an awards ceremony for Russia's 810th Marine Brigade and to celebrate Russia's Day of Missile Forces and Artillery.
The attack comes as Russia's private military company, the Wagner Group is offering to strengthen the air defences of either Hezbollah, a designated terrorist group in Lebanon, or Iran, according to the US Government. The White House has described this move as "unprecedented defence cooperation" between the two enemies of the United States.
According to National Security Council spokesman John Kirby: "Our information… indicates that Wagner, at the direction of the Russian government, was preparing to provide an air defence capability to either Hezbollah or Iran."
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Donetsk: Video allegedly shows missile hitting concert
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Russian 'werewolf' serial killer sentenced to 10 more years for new brutal killings
Russia's infamous serial killer, Mikhail Popkov has been sentenced to an additional 10 years in prison today after being convicted of three more gruesome murders of women.
Popkov, who's also known as "The Werewolf", confessed to the additional killings, involving brutal methods such as axes, hammers, knives, screwdrivers, and spades. This brings his confirmed body count to a chilling 86.
Popkov, a former policeman, also earned the nickname "The Angarsk Maniac" from his hometown in Russia. His victims, aged 18 to 50, were often raped before being brutally murdered.
Despite serving two previous life sentences and a nine-year term concurrently, Popkov is eyeing an early release by volunteering to fight for Vladimir Putin in his ongoing war against Ukraine.
The Russian president has been recruiting individuals with criminal backgrounds, including murderers and rapists, offering them a chance at freedom by pardoning their crimes.
Despite serving two previous life sentences and a nine-year term concurrently, Popkov is eyeing an early release by volunteering to fight for Vladimir Putin in his ongoing war against Ukraine.
Putin blames Ukraine for lack of peace talks
Vladimir Putin acknowledged the human cost of the conflict in Ukraine describing it as a "tragedy" in a speech to the G20.Putin proposed the talks to bring an end to the war.Despite expressing readiness for negotiations, he once again attributed the lack of progress to Ukraine, citing Ukrainian law as a barrier to peace talks.
Ukraine President says soldiers face 'difficult' operations as brutal winter bites
Ukrainian President Zelensky has said on the social media Telegram channel that the country's soldiers will face "difficult" days ahead in defensive operations along the giant 600-mile-long eastern front as winter arrives.
In the milder south military activity is continuing for the moment but freezing temperatures are likely to arrive soon.
Speaking on Telegram he said: “Difficult weather, difficult defence on the Lyman, Bakhmut, Donetsk and Avdiivka fronts. Offensive actions in the south.
“The Black Sea ‘grain corridor’ shows good results. The last days were a record for the volume of transported goods.”
Putin puppet issues chilling threat as he warns 'Zelensky won't live to old age'
One of Vladimir Putin's puppets has issued a chilling new assassination threat against Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky as he claims he is "unlikely to have chance of living to old age".
Ex-Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, who is also Putin's deputy on the security council issued the sickening new threat after Zelensky revealed he had already survived at least five assassination attempts by the Kremlin.
Kremlin dodges questions over Iranian ballistic missiles
The Kremlin has dodged questions over reports from the US that Russia is looking to obtain ballistic missiles from Iran.
White House spokesman John Kirby said on Tuesday: "Iran may be preparing to go a step further in its support for Russia".
"We are... concerned that Iran is considering providing Russia with ballistic missiles now for use in Ukraine."
When the claims were put to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, he declined to comment.
He said: "We are developing relations with Iran, including in the field of military-technical cooperation, but we do not comment on this information."
Putin to address G20 summit
Vladimir Putin will deliver a video address to G20 members later today. Putin is expected to speak about Russia's position on the "deeply unstable world situation" during his speech. Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and Germany are all members of the G20.
According to Russian state TV host Pavel Zarubin, who shared the event on his Telegram channel on Sunday, it is one of the few times in a long time that both Putin and Western leaders are present at the same event.
Poisoning in Melitopol of Russia FSB
A poisoning at a fast food restaurant in the occupied city of Melitopol has reportedly killed three Russian FSB officers.
The three officers died in the hospital while a fourth remains in intensive care, according to KyivPost.
Heavy overnight air defence activity for both Russia and Ukriane
The air defence of Ukraine and Russia where reportedly busy last night with both sides claiming to have repelled overnight attacks.
Ukraine reports shooting down "all 14 Shahed (Iranian-made) drones" fired by Russian forces.
While the Russian Ministry of Defence claims to have thwarted a drone attack aimed at Crimea.The Russian MoD stated: "An attempt by the Kyiv regime to carry out a terrorist attack with aircraft-type UAVs on objects on the territory of the Russian Federation was prevented."
Good morning
Good morning from London. I’m Tim McNulty, I’ll be bringing you all the latest developments on the war in Ukraine. Please feel free to get in touch with me as I work if you have a story or tips to share! Your thoughts are always welcome.
Email: tim.mcnulty@reachplc.com