Zelensky: Russian Strike in Ukrainian Military Ceremony Blatantly Violates Safety Rules
Ukrainian President Zelensky condemns the deadly Russian strike on a village in Zaporizhzhia, emphasizing that safety rules were disregarded, leading to the tragic loss of soldiers and civilians He stresses that this unfortunate event could have been prevented
Safety rules were breached, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, resulting in the vulnerability of both soldiers and civilians to a fatal missile attack by Russia on a village in the Zaporizhzhia region. Zelensky lamented the incident as a preventable tragedy. In a recent statement, a Ukrainian military brigade reported the death of 19 of its soldiers in an airstrike during an award ceremony near the frontlines in Zaporizhzhia.
Zelensky assured the nation on Monday that they are closely analyzing the entire situation in real-time. He emphasized their determination to identify those responsible for violating safety protocols within the zone vulnerable to enemy aerial surveillance, and there will be consequences for their actions.
In response to the attack, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov has initiated a criminal investigation. Umerov expressed the importance of safeguarding their personnel and providing truthful explanations to the families and loved ones of the deceased soldiers, emphasizing the need for utmost effort in this regard.
Zelensky visited a training center at an unspecified location to mark the Day of Missile Forces and Artillery.
The strike took place on Friday, coinciding with Ukraine's observance of the Day of Missile Forces and Artillery. President Zelensky emphasized the significance of these warriors, considering them the vital foundation of Ukraine's Defense and Security Forces.
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The State Investigation Bureau (DBR) of Ukraine has initiated an investigation into military officials who organized an event near the frontline to celebrate Missile and Artillery Forces Day. This separate ceremony, unrelated to the missile strike, took place on Friday. Ukrainian soldiers were honored at an undisclosed location and received awards, as stated by Zelensky's office.
Zelensky confirmed in a national address on Monday evening that criminal proceedings have been initiated in light of this tragic event. The purpose of the investigation is to provide truthful answers to the families of the deceased soldiers and society as a whole regarding the circumstances of this tragedy, including any possible issuance of improper orders. According to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Russian forces launched an Iskander-M missile at troops from the 128th Separate Mountain Assault Brigade, resulting in the loss of soldiers' lives and injuries to local residents.
A group of Ukrainian marines sail from the riverbank of Dnipro at the frontline near Kherson, Ukraine, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Alex Babenko)
Alex Babenko/AP
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Ukrainian parliamentarian Mykhailo Volynets reported that 28 individuals lost their lives and 53 sustained injuries in the aftermath of the strike. The breakdown between civilian and military casualties was not disclosed. In an official statement released on Telegram, the brigade confirmed the loss of 19 soldiers. Independent verification of the casualty count by CNN is unavailable.
Zelensky announced the suspension of the brigade commander, who will remain suspended while the investigation is ongoing.
"Our priority is to uncover the entire truth surrounding the incident and to take measures to prevent its recurrence. It is crucial that every soldier in the combat zone, whether facing enemy fire or aerial reconnaissance, is well-informed about appropriate conduct in the open and prioritizes safety," stated Zelensky.
Since 2014, the 128th brigade has been actively engaged in combat operations in eastern Ukraine. Following Ukraine's counteroffensive in early June, the brigade has been stationed in the southern region of the country, aiming to regain control over territories seized by Russian troops during the invasion in February 2022. Ukrainian forces claimed a breakthrough in September, successfully breaching the initial line of Russian strongholds in the Zaporizhzhia region. However, the counteroffensive's advancement has been hindered by the formidable defenses put up by heavily fortified Russian positions, leading to a slower progress.
