In a targeted strike on a military training center in the Russian-held Donetsk region, Ukrainian forces have reportedly struck a HIMARS missile, resulting in the deaths of at least 60 soldiers, as per sources reported by BBC News on Wednesday.
The attack unfolded just hours before Russian President Vladimir Putin convened a meeting with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Tuesday, adding a layer of significance to the timing.
Confirmation of the strike came from Transbaikal governor Alexander Osipov via his Telegram channel. However, he cautioned that reports were “inaccurate and grossly exaggerated,” promising that “full and accurate information would be provided to the families of all the soldiers involved.”
Sources indicate that the Russian soldiers were present at the site as Maj-Gen Oleg Moiseyev, commander of the 29th Army of the Eastern military region, was en route to a training area near the village of Trudovske.
This incident follows the recent capture of the strategic Ukrainian town of Avdiivka by Russian forces. The affected group of soldiers belonged to the 36th Motorised Rifle Brigade, typically stationed in the Transbaikal region of Siberia.
A purported video from a surviving soldier revealed that the brigade’s commanders had positioned them in an open field before the strike. The soldier, in the recording, assured that “No one will be left without help or support.”
As of now, Ukrainian authorities have not issued an official statement regarding the incident.
Putin’s recent victory in Avdiivka, once a bustling town with 32,000 residents, has been highlighted as a significant battlefield achievement since the capture of Bakhmut in May 2023. Television footage released by Russia’s defense ministry depicted widespread destruction in Avdiivka, with nearly every house showing signs of war scars.
President Putin, while praising the success in Avdiivka, emphasized the necessity for a well-equipped and prepared continuation of their advances.
Despite the Ukrainian military’s strategic withdrawal to prevent complete encirclement after months of intense combat, casualties were reported on both sides, with significant losses claimed by both parties.
