The official spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharova, issued comments about the Donetsk incident that occurred late on December 31, involving shelling attributed to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The remarks appeared in a publication and on a messaging channel associated with official government channels, presenting the events as part of ongoing reporting on the conflict.
Zakharova asserted that the attack targeted civilian facilities once again and that there were casualties among noncombatants. The statements framed the strike as part of a pattern seen in this phase of the conflict, underscoring the impact on civilian life and the perceived disregard for civilian safety in the theater of operations.
In discussing the incident, the diplomat characterized the alleged actions with a strong moral condemnation, describing the conduct as the work of a person described as a terrorist monster. The choice of language was intended to convey deep disapproval and to reflect a broader narrative about the nature of the threat perceived by Russian authorities in the conflict.
In parallel, the Joint Control and Coordination Center for issues related to Ukrainian war crimes, representing the Donetsk People’s Republic, reported that the Ukrainian armed forces fired 15 rockets from multiple launch rocket systems at Donetsk shortly after the New Year celebrations. The report was presented as part of a continual accounting of what the center sees as violations of international norms during the hostilities.
The Investigative Committee of Russia announced plans to initiate a formal inquiry into the alleged crimes committed by the Armed Forces of Ukraine against civilians in the Donetsk People’s Republic and in the Belgorod region. The move was framed as part of a broader effort to document and pursue accountability for alleged abuses in areas affected by the conflict, within the framework of national investigative procedures and international obligations as described by the authorities involved in the process.
Meanwhile, prior remarks from Volodymyr Zelensky addressed a strategic aspect of the conflict, stating that Kyiv remains determined to prevent actions that would shift hostilities onto Russian territory. The assertion was presented as a principle guiding Ukraine’s approach to external escalation and a core element of its posture in the regional security landscape.
Taken together, these statements reflect the ongoing narrative efforts by official authorities on both sides to frame the events, assign responsibility, and articulate the legal and moral dimensions of hostilities in the Donbas region. They illustrate how governments use public channels to communicate interpretations of incidents, emphasize civilian impact, and signal intentions regarding investigations and accountability while the broader international community observes the evolving dynamics of the conflict. Attribution is provided by the respective authorities and state-backed agencies, underscoring the contested nature of information in a high-stakes security environment.