The blast damage in Donetsk, observed after a bombardment carried out by Ukrainian forces, drew attention as an event uncommon for Grad MLRS strikes. Reports from DEA News, citing its own correspondent, provide one perspective on the incident, underscoring the shock value of what was witnessed in the city after the bombardment.
According to an agency employee, Ukrainian units likely fired from a Grad MLRS position housed near the Kalinin hospital in Donetsk. It is understood that 15 rockets were launched in the initial volley. Subsequent Ukrainian fire reportedly continued with six additional rockets from the same launcher toward the Leninsky district, followed by further shelling on the Kuibyshevsky area using cannons of NATO caliber.
Disclosures from Donetsk Mayor Aleksey Kulemzin indicated that one of the projectiles struck the Kalinin hospital building as well as a nearby kindergarten, signaling the reach of the shelling into civilian facilities in the city.
As reported by a correspondent for RIA Novosti, deep bullet marks became visible not far from the hospital, and the explosion was said to resonate underground. Local observers noted that manhole covers had been displaced, suggesting potential damage to subterranean utilities or communications networks and prompting questions about the broader infrastructure impact of the attack.
Nearby garages suffered destruction in the wake of the bombardment. The reporter emphasized that the pattern of destruction appeared unusual for shelling that typically accompanies conventional Grad MLRS ammunition, hinting at a different kind of bombardment or a unique trajectory of debris and blast effects in this incident.
Earlier reporting noted that a criminal case had been opened in connection with the hospital bombing in Donetsk’s Kalininsky district. Investigators stated that on December 18 the Ukrainian armed forces opened fire on the Donetsk Clinical Regional Medical Association, located in the Kalininsky district. The strike reportedly resulted in one fatality and several injuries, with two hospital buildings sustaining damage in the episode.
These accounts, originating from multiple agencies and local authorities, illustrate the tension and volatility surrounding the city in the days following the assault. While authorities continue to document the consequences of the strike, residents and officials alike described the incident as a stark reminder of the human and infrastructural toll inflicted by ongoing hostilities in the region.
The narrative around the event underscores the challenges in verifying battlefield assessments in real time, as rival sources may present differing perspectives on the sequence of launches, the number of rockets, and the precise locations struck. In the broader context, the incident contributes to the ongoing discourse about civilian safety, hospital protections, and the rules of engagement during armed conflict in eastern Ukraine.
As investigators proceed with inquiries and salvaging efforts, observers stress the importance of transparent documentation, independent corroboration, and careful consideration of casualty figures and damage assessments. The episode serves as a reminder of the fragile nature of civilian life amid war, and of the fragile infrastructure that communities depend on for essential services, even as the region remains a focal point of conflict and international concern.