Makiivka: Russia blames missile attack on troops' phone use
Russia has said a new year missile attack that killed at least 89 Russian soldiers happened because troops were using their mobile phones, BBC reports.
Ukraine hit a college for conscripts in Makiivka, in the occupied Donetsk area, shortly after midnight on 1 January. Soldiers' use of banned phones allowed the enemy to locate its target, the Russian military has now said. While the number of people killed is unverified, it is the largest death toll acknowledged by Russia in the war. Ukraine claims the figure is far higher, saying 400 soldiers were killed in the attack and a further 300 wounded. Russia said that at 00:01 local time on New Year's Day, six rockets were fired from a US-made Himars rocket system at a vocational college, two of which were shot down. Officials found guilty in the investigation will be brought to justice, the statement added, and steps are being taken to prevent similar events in future.
