On 12/8, American media, citing military personnel and informed volunteers, reported that on 21/7, Russia launched an Iskander-M ballistic missile that hit a mess hall at a training base near the city of Kropyvnytsky in the Kirovograd province of central Ukraine. American, Colombian, Danish, and other foreign volunteers were gathered for lunch at the time.

"It was the biggest explosion I've ever seen. Debris was flying everywhere, and the surrounding trees were shaking," recalled an anonymous recruit from Florida. After the explosion, the dead and seriously injured lay scattered near the mess hall. The American recruit said at least 15 people were killed and more than 100 were injured in the attack.

The attack also ignited a fire at an ammunition depot, causing secondary explosions and sending shrapnel flying as survivors tried to help the victims. The American recruit bandaged the wounds of some comrades and helped carry them to ambulances, trucks, and cars to be transported to the hospital.

He said the base's alarm was not activated before the missile struck and expressed disappointment at the lack of first aid equipment near the mess hall.

Two other foreign soldiers revealed that many had previously complained about lax security at the base. They also believed that gathering in large numbers for communal meals was dangerous.

Volodymyr Kaminsky, a spokesman for the International Legion under the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine (GUR), confirmed the unit was attacked by Russia but declined to disclose information about casualties while the incident is under investigation.

Location of Kropyvnytsky. Graphics: RYV

The Ukrainian Ground Forces confirmed soldiers were killed and injured but did not provide specific numbers.

The Russian Ministry of Defense has not commented on the information. On 21/7, Russian media, citing war correspondents, reported that Russian forces launched Iskander-M missiles at a Ukrainian training base in Kirovograd province, causing "significant casualties."

In 2/2022, Ukrainian President Zelensky's administration established the International Legion to attract foreign volunteers to fight. After a restructuring, foreign nationals can serve in regular units of the Ukrainian Ground Forces or join two separate International Legions, one under the Ground Forces and one managed by the GUR.

Russia refers to these individuals as "foreign mercenaries" and says the Ukrainian government has recruited fighters from 63 countries, including those with no combat experience. Most International Legion members come from Europe and the Americas, with a smaller number from Asia, Africa, and Australia.

The Russian military has carried out a series of attacks on Ukrainian military training facilities in recent months.

Russian Iskander-M ballistic missile launcher at a 2017 defense exhibition. Photo: RIA Novosti

One of the deadliest incidents occurred in early March when the Russian military launched Iskander-M ballistic missiles at the Novomoskovsky training ground in Dnipropetrovsk province, where soldiers of the 157th Separate Motorized Brigade of Ukraine were training. Moscow claimed the attack killed 150 Ukrainian soldiers, including about 30 foreign specialists.

General Syrsky called it a tragedy, saying the attack "killed and wounded some people" but did not give specific figures. Former Ukrainian MP Igor Mosiychuk said the attack hit the 168th Reserve Battalion, killing 32 and wounding 153, and damaging two vehicles of the 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade.

Pham Giang (According to RBC Ukraine, Lenta)