Russian actress killed in Ukrainian strike on event for troops

Polina Menshikh was giving a performance in a dance hall in occupied Ukraine, according to local reports

Russia has confirmed a Ukrainian strike on a military entertainment event killed a performer - without commenting on reports of troop casualties.

Russian actress Polina Menshikh was performing to troops at a dance hall in an occupied part of Ukraine when it was hit by shelling on Sunday.

Ukraine said about 20 Russian soldiers were killed in the strike.

Reports in Kyiv said the strike was retaliation for a Russian attack on a Ukrainian military awards ceremony.

That strike - near the front lines in the southern Zaporizhzhia region - killed 19 soldiers earlier this month.

The strike on the Russian troop performance was on the village of Kumatove in Donetsk region, in the area of eastern Ukraine occupied by Russia since 2014. Kumachove is about 60km (37 miles) from the front line.

Local reports said the entertainment event for troops was taking place in a dance hall with seating for about 150 people.

Russian pro-war bloggers criticised the organisation of the show. A performance concentrating dozens of soldiers in one place made it an obvious target for a Ukrainian strike, they wrote.

A video purporting to show the moment of the strike was uploaded to social media. A woman, apparently Ms Menshikh, is seen on stage singing and playing guitar, before an explosion is heard and the hall's lights go out.

Ms Menshikh died in hospital of her injuries. Portal, a theatre studio based in St Petersburg associated with Ms Menshikh said an upcoming performance of a play she had previously directed would be dedicated to her memory.

Speaking to the BBC's Ukrainian service, a Ukrainian army spokesperson confirmed media reporting of the strike.

Other areas in the Donetsk region have been hotspots of vicious fighting in recent months, particularly the cities of Avdiika and Bakhmut.