The Ukrainian army reported that on the evening of 11/8, Russian forces launched a missile attack on one of their training units. "As per protocol, personnel were immediately alerted upon the missile warning. However, a group of soldiers entered the cluster munition impact zone while moving to the shelter," the statement said.
The attack resulted in one fatality and 11 soldiers sustaining injuries of varying degrees. Another 12 soldiers required medical attention for ruptured eardrums or concussion. The location of the targeted training ground was not disclosed.
To ensure the safety and well-being of personnel, the Ukrainian army is continuously reinforcing shelters at training centers, grounds, and military facilities, according to the statement.
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An Iskander-M ballistic missile launch targeting Ukrainian forces in 2022. Photo: RIA Novosti |
An Iskander-M ballistic missile launch targeting Ukrainian forces in 2022. Photo: RIA Novosti
The Ukrainian Air Force Command reported that Russia launched a total of 48 suicide and decoy drones, along with four Iskander-M ballistic missiles, towards Ukraine on the evening of 11/8. Air defense units intercepted or jammed 36 drones, while 12 drones and three missiles hit seven locations. The fate of the fourth Iskander-M missile was not mentioned.
The Russian Ministry of Defense has not yet commented on the incident.
The Russian military has conducted numerous attacks on Ukrainian training facilities in recent months, including a double strike in the Goncharovskoye area of Chernihiv province.
One of the most devastating incidents occurred in early March when an Iskander-M ballistic missile struck the Novomoskovsky training ground in Dnipropetrovsk province, a training site for the 157th Motorized Rifle Brigade. Moscow claimed the attack killed 150 Ukrainian soldiers, including approximately 30 foreign specialists.
General Syrsky called the incident a tragedy and acknowledged casualties without specifying numbers. Former Ukrainian Member of Parliament Igor Mosiychuk reported 32 deaths and 153 injuries within the 168th Reserve Battalion, along with damage to two vehicles of the 93rd Motorized Rifle Brigade.
These incidents have drawn increasing public criticism of the Ukrainian military command.
Former Ukrainian Army Commander Mykhailo Drapatyi pledged to implement new safety standards and hold those responsible accountable. However, continued Russian attacks on Ukrainian training grounds and resulting casualties led to Drapatyi's resignation.
Pham Giang (Kyiv Independent, Ukrainska Pravda)
