In a tragic incident on November 19, a Ukrainian strike during an awards ceremony in Donetsk Oblast led to the untimely demise of numerous Russian marines, according to a report by the Ukrainian army's strategic communications unit on November 22. The Ukrainian unit confirmed the strike and revealed that the number of casualties had been reported by Russian propagandists.

According to Commander Robert "Magyar" Brovdi of Ukraine's 59th Brigade, a total of 25 Russian marines were killed, and over 100 others suffered injuries as a result of the attack. The incident occurred as members of Russia's 810th Marine Brigade were attending the awards ceremony near Starobesheve, Donetsk Oblast, which was held in honor of Russia's Missile Forces and Artillery Day. The ceremony also featured a performance by Russian actress Polina Menshikh.

The presence of Menshikh at the event was verified by the Russian state media outlet Rossiyskaya Gazeta, which confirmed her participation in entertaining the soldiers near Starobesheve. A video released by Ukraine's Ground Forces on November 21 showed Menshikh performing on stage, followed by a sudden explosion.

Russian state news agency TASS reported Menshikh's death on November 21, stating that Ukrainian forces had launched an attack on the village of Kumachove in Donetsk Oblast, utilizing various weaponry, including HIMARS missiles.

Commander Brovdi described the strike as "payback" for a previous Russian missile attack on Ukraine's 128th Mountain Assault Brigade during an awards ceremony earlier in November, which resulted in the loss of 19 Ukrainian soldiers.

Reacting to the strike on the 128th Brigade, Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov expressed his belief that the incident could have been avoided if basic security measures had not been ignored.

This unfortunate incident further exacerbates the ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia, highlighting the precarious situation in the region. The loss of lives serves as a somber reminder of the need for diplomatic efforts to deescalate the conflict and restore peace. Both sides must strive to ensure the safety and well-being of their armed forces, as well as civilians caught in the crossfire.