Two HIMARS missile strikes in an eastern Ukraine area under Moscow’s control resulted in the deaths of up to 60 Russian soldiers.
According to a BBC report, the strikes targeted a training centre just hours before a scheduled meeting between President Vladimir Putin and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
Sources revealed the soldiers were present in Donetsk when Major-General Oleg Moiseyev, commander of the 29th Army, arrived near Trudovske village. While Russia acknowledged the missile strikes, it labelled the reported death toll as significantly inflated.
The incident followed Russian forces seizing Avdiivka, a key Ukrainian town. The soldiers affected belonged to the 36th Motorised Rifle Brigade from Siberia’s Transbaikal region. A leaked video featured a surviving soldier criticizing the brigade’s leadership for their vulnerable positioning. Transbaikal Governor Alexander Osipov, addressing the strike on Telegram, promised accurate details to the soldiers’ families and assured support for all affected.
Ukrainian officials have not yet commented on the strike. Avdiivka’s capture represents a major victory for Putin, marking the most substantial gain since Bakhmut in May 2023. Russian defence ministry footage showed Avdiivka’s extensive damage, with Putin advocating for continued, well-equipped military efforts. Despite Ukraine’s strategic withdrawal from Avdiivka to avoid encirclement, both sides reported significant casualties from the prolonged conflict.
