UKRAINE’S 128TH MOUNTAIN ASSAULT BRIGADE/FACEBOOK
Many of the 128th Brigade’s personnel – as seen in this archive photo – are from Ukraine’s westernmost Transcarpathia region
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urgently sought answers for the grieving families of soldiers who tragically lost their lives in a missile strike during an awards ceremony on Friday.
The 128th Mountain Assault Brigade, a Ukrainian unit, painfully reported that 19 of its valiant soldiers fell victim to a Russian attack perilously close to the front lines in the southern Zaporizhzhia region. These courageous individuals were among the “best fighters” of their unit, a loss that struck at the very heart of the Ukrainian military.
A prevailing sense of disbelief has gripped many, contemplating the decision to hold the ceremony in such close proximity to the front lines. The question looms large as to why the event was permitted in an area vulnerable to attacks.
President Zelensky, too, expressed his distress, underscoring that this tragic incident “could have been avoided.” He also conveyed that “criminal proceedings have been initiated,” as he took to social media to share this disheartening news. Zelensky acknowledged that every soldier serving in the combat zone, subjected to the ever-watchful enemy’s line of fire and aerial reconnaissance, possesses the knowledge and training to navigate these perilous circumstances and ensure their safety.
The sentiment resonates widely among Ukrainian soldiers and military experts, who contend that conducting the ceremony in an area exposed to the risk of strikes was a grave misjudgment. They argue that Ukrainian officers should have been acutely aware that Russian drones maintain a ceaseless vigil over Ukrainian troops’ movements near the frontlines, using the gathered intelligence to guide air and artillery attacks.
Recent drone footage has surfaced on a Russian Telegram channel, purportedly capturing the devastating moment of the strike during what appears to be an open-air ceremony. The images are a stark reminder of the brutal reality of warfare, with several lifeless bodies believed to be those of Ukrainian soldiers strewn across the ground.
As of now, the Russian military has not officially commented on the tragic attack, leaving many to grapple with the unanswered questions surrounding this dramatic development in the region.
Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov had previously confirmed the reports, acknowledging the tragic loss of soldiers from the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade in the missile strike. He promptly ordered a comprehensive investigation into what he aptly described as a “tragedy.”
Simultaneously, Ukraine’s Strategic Command (StratCom) disclosed that an Iskander-M, a short-range ballistic missile frequently used by Russia, had been employed in the attack. Regrettably, a number of civilians also suffered injuries in the incident.
President Zelensky issued a statement expressing his determination to “establish the complete truth about what happened and prevent such incidents from happening again.” These words echo the shared sentiment of a nation deeply affected by the heartbreaking loss of its heroes.
In a poignant gesture of mourning and solidarity, three days of mourning were declared in Ukraine’s westernmost Transcarpathia region, which is believed to be the hometown of many of the fallen soldiers. While the exact location of the strike has not been publicly disclosed by Kyiv, Ukrainian media reports suggest that it occurred in a village near the front line.
Russian bloggers have identified the village as Dymytrovo, which Ukraine renamed Zarichne in 2016. The attack unfolded on a day when Ukrainian troops were commemorating Artillery Day, a solemn occasion that pays tribute to the dedicated military personnel serving in artillery and missile units.
Ruslan Kahanets, the commander of Ukraine’s volunteer battalion Sonechko (Sun), conveyed the harrowing aftermath in a Facebook post, describing a somber scene marked by “a pile of dead officers and soldiers.” He also shared images of charred vehicles and the lifeless bodies of the fallen soldiers.
A compelling video has surfaced featuring a Ukrainian soldier, believed to be from a nearby brigade, openly criticizing the officers responsible for organizing the reported ceremony. This soldier points out the systematic and regular targeting of front-line villages and expresses the tragic consequences of such gatherings, resulting in the loss of both Ukrainian defenders and civilians.
The soldier’s poignant question lingers in the air, asking what the officers were thinking, as those on the front lines are well aware that a gathering of more than two people inevitably attracts the peril of an incoming air strike.
In the wake of this heartbreaking incident, Serhiy Sternenko, a prominent Ukrainian volunteer, called for the commander who organized the ceremony to face a lifelong imprisonment. He rightly emphasized the urgency of systemic changes to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.
Social media has become a platform for widespread anger and calls for accountability. Many voices demand answers about who orchestrated the gathering, whose initiative it was, and whether those responsible are under investigation. The questions resonate in the hearts of a nation grappling with the profound loss of its brave soldiers.
On a broader scale, discussions on the frequency of such incidents have emerged, prompting reflection on the need for change within Ukraine’s military leadership. These incidents, as some observers note, warrant careful consideration of the evolving dynamics on the front lines and the imperative to safeguard the lives of those who serve their country.
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