Ukraine confirms deadly missile strike on training ground as Russia escalates targeted assaults; questions emerge over troop safety and command accountability.
Ukrainian armed forces have confirmed that a Russian missile strike on a military training unit has resulted in multiple casualties, marking the third such attack in just over two months. The strike, which took place on Tuesday evening, killed three Ukrainian servicemen and wounded 18 others, according to Ukraine’s Ground Forces.
While the military did not disclose the exact location, Ukrainian war reporter Andrei Taplienko stated the site was likely in the Chernihiv region, bordering both Russia and Belarus. Russia’s Ministry of Defence released footage claiming to show an Iskander ballistic missile attack involving over 20 cluster-type explosions in a wooded area, alleging a significantly higher casualty count than Ukraine has officially reported. The video has not been independently verified.
“Despite the security measures taken, unfortunately it was not possible to completely avoid losses among the personnel,” Ukraine’s Ground Forces wrote on social media, noting an investigation is underway into whether the “actions or inaction of officials” contributed to the losses.
The incident follows two recent deadly strikes on Ukrainian training camps. In May, an Iskander missile killed six soldiers in Sumy, and another attack last month left 12 dead and 60 injured. That tragedy prompted the resignation of Ground Forces Commander Mykhailo Drapatyi, who acknowledged the victims were “young guys from a training battalion.”
Additional Strikes and Civilian Impact
In a separate development, Russian forces also targeted the regional military administration building in Sumy on Wednesday, injuring a 75-year-old woman. It was the second strike on the same building within a week; a drone attack last Saturday caused significant damage but no casualties.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials reported a sixth death from a Russian missile strike on a humanitarian aid point in the Kharkiv region. The strike, which occurred Tuesday, ignited a fire that destroyed a shop in the village of Novoplatonivka. All six victims—four men and two women—had been queuing for water when the missile hit.