In a shocking incident, a Russian actress, Polina Menshikh, lost her life in a Ukrainian strike while delivering a performance to Russian troops. The tragic event occurred on 19 November when the dance hall in occupied Ukraine, where Menshikh was performing, became the target of shelling.
The actress was reportedly entertaining soldiers to mark a Russian military holiday when the venue, capable of seating approximately 150 people, was hit. Ukrainian authorities claimed that around 20 Russian soldiers lost their lives in the strike, although Russian authorities have not officially commented on the casualty figures.
Local reports indicated that Menshikh was on stage, singing and playing the guitar, during the performance when the shelling occurred. A video capturing the moment of the strike surfaced on social media, revealing the sudden explosion and subsequent blackout in the dance hall. Menshikh succumbed to her injuries in the hospital.
The tragic incident took place approximately 60km (37 miles) from the front line, in the village of Kumachove, located in the Donetsk region—an area of eastern Ukraine under Russian occupation since 2014. Other regions in the Donetsk area, notably the cities of Avdiika and Bakhmut, have experienced intense fighting in recent months.
The Ukrainian army spokesperson confirmed the strike, stating that it aligns with media reports. Meanwhile, the Portal theatre studio in St Petersburg, associated with Menshikh, announced that an upcoming performance of a play she had previously directed would be dedicated to her memory.
Russian pro-war bloggers criticized the organization of the show, arguing that concentrating dozens of soldiers in one place made it an obvious target for a Ukrainian strike. The tragic incident underscores the complexities and dangers faced by artists and performers in conflict zones, as geopolitical tensions continue to escalate in the region.