In a tragic incident in the occupied Donetsk region, a Russian actress, Polina Menshikh, lost her life in a Ukrainian airstrike while performing for troops under the command of Russian leader Vladimir Putin. The attack, which took place during a concert commemorating Russia's Day of Missile Forces and Artillery, also claimed the lives of at least 25 marines and left 100 individuals injured.

Video footage captured the moment when a Ukrainian HIMARS strike struck a concert hall in the village of Kumachovo, situated approximately 37 miles from the frontline. In the video, Menshikh can be seen playing the guitar and singing for Russian soldiers before the room starts to shake. Suddenly, the video cuts out.

Following the incident, the Russian Investigative Committee initiated a criminal probe into the attack, acknowledging the death of a civilian. However, reports suggest that Russia attempted to cover up the troop losses resulting from the HIMARS strike.

The casualties were initially reported by the Russian News Agency TASS, which announced that a woman died in the village of Kumachovo due to shelling by Ukrainian troops. According to reports, Ukrainian forces fired five projectiles from multiple launch rocket systems at the village, leading to the loss of life.

Ukraine, on its part, claimed responsibility for the attack, characterizing it as revenge for a previous Russian strike on an award ceremony in Ukraine earlier in the month. Ukrainian Commander Robert Brovdi stated that the attack targeted the 810th separate brigade of Russian Marines in retaliation for the 128th Brigade, referring to the November 4 strike by Russia that resulted in the death of at least 20 soldiers from the 128th Brigade.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the incident, labeling it a tragedy that could have been avoided. He announced the launch of a criminal investigation and revealed that at least 25 Russian marines were killed in the retaliatory attack, while over 100 others sustained injuries. The losses of command personnel were classified by a Russian military commission that arrived at the scene.

The news of the airstrike prompted outrage amongst Russian war bloggers, who criticized Russia's commanders for underestimating the potential retaliation from the Ukrainian forces. The proximity of the concert hall, located only 60 kilometers (37 miles) from the frontline, was deemed a significant factor in the tragedy.

In the wake of Menshikh's untimely death, a theatre studio in St. Petersburg announced that an upcoming performance of a play she previously directed would be dedicated to her memory. The incident serves as a somber reminder of the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, highlighting the consequences that civilians and military personnel face in the conflict-stricken region.