In a tragic incident, Russian actress Polina Menshikh lost her life when a dance hall in occupied Ukraine was hit by Ukrainian shelling on November 19. The theatre associated with Menshikh confirmed the unfortunate event, stating that she was performing to celebrate a Russian military holiday when the strike occurred. Ukrainian authorities reported that approximately 20 Russian soldiers were killed in the attack, but Russian officials have not commented on the casualties.
Menshikh was delivering a performance in a local dance hall with a seating capacity of around 150 people when the strike occurred. A video circulating on social media purportedly captures the moment of the attack. The footage shows Menshikh on stage singing and playing the guitar, followed by an explosion, resulting in the hall’s lights going out. The actress succumbed to her injuries in the hospital.
The strike took place in the village of Kumachove, approximately 60 km (37 miles) from the front line, within the Donetsk region, an area occupied by Russia since 2014. Other parts of the Donetsk region, including Avdiika and Bakhmut, have witnessed intense fighting in recent months.
While Ukrainian authorities confirmed the strike, Russian pro-war bloggers criticised the organisation of the show, arguing that concentrating dozens of soldiers in one place made it an obvious target for a Ukrainian attack. The incident has added to the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, further highlighting the challenges faced by civilians and performers in conflict zones.
Kiki Garba
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