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Ukraine war: Military chiefs in Kyiv under pressure over deadly Russian strike

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Ukraine’s military leadership is facing severe backlash after a recent Russian missile strike reportedly resulted in significant Ukrainian casualties. According to Ukrainian media and Russian military bloggers, over 20 Ukrainian soldiers were killed during an award ceremony near the southern frontlines on Friday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that the incident was avoidable and announced the initiation of criminal proceedings.

Several Ukrainian soldiers and military experts have criticized the decision to hold the ceremony in an area vulnerable to strikes, highlighting that Russian drones routinely monitor Ukrainian troop activities to facilitate air and artillery attacks. Disturbing drone footage shared on a Russian Telegram channel purportedly captured the moment of the deadly strike, displaying bodies of Ukrainian soldiers on the ground.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed the deaths and ordered a full investigation into the tragedy. The use of an Iskander-M, a Russian short-range ballistic missile, was reported by Ukraine’s Strategic Command (StratCom), resulting in civilian casualties as well. While the specific location of the attack has not been publicly disclosed by Kyiv, Ukrainian media suggests it was a village near the frontline, potentially Dymytrovo, known as Zarichne after Ukraine’s renaming in 2016.

The incident occurred during a ceremony marking Artillery Day, dedicated to honoring military personnel serving in artillery and missile units. Various social media posts, including those by Ukrainian soldier Ruslan Kahanets and volunteer Serhiy Sternenko, criticized the decision to organize the event, calling for accountability and systemic changes to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

The sentiment among some Russian military bloggers implies that such incidents are occurring more frequently, urging Ukrainian military leaders to reassess their strategies. This recent strike has sparked anger among Ukrainian citizens, who demand punishment for those responsible for organizing the ill-fated ceremony. As investigations continue, the focus remains on establishing the truth and implementing measures to prevent such occurrences from happening again.

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Ukraine war: Russian general fired after criticising army leaders

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Maj Gen Ivan Popov, the former commander of the 58th Army in southern Zaporizhzhia region, has voiced concerns about the high casualty rate and lack of artillery support in a leaked voice message. He stated that he felt obligated to address these problems honestly rather than remain silent. He criticized senior commanders and accused them of treason, claiming that they demanded his dismissal, which was ultimately approved by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. Russian military bloggers suggested that Gen Valery Gerasimov, the head of Russia’s armed forces, ordered Popov’s dismissal due to his alleged “alarmism and blackmailing senior management” when he advocated for the rotation of frontline soldiers who had suffered significant losses.

Popov expressed disappointment with his dismissal, stating that while the Ukrainian army failed to break through their front lines, the senior leadership betrayed their own forces by removing him. The Russian Defense Ministry has not yet commented on the situation. However, a senior official from the United Russia party criticized Andrei Gurulyov, the Russian MP who leaked the voice message, for turning it into a political spectacle. The official stated that Popov’s remarks were meant for closed chats among army commanders and troops. Despite this, the official praised Popov’s integrity and expressed pride in commanders like him.

Zaporizhzhia and the eastern Donetsk region have been the focal points of Ukraine’s counteroffensive, but they have encountered difficulties in breaching well-established Russian defensive lines. Another Russian MP mentioned that Gen Sergei Surovikin, a former commander who had not been seen in public since the Wagner mutiny, was “resting.” There is no official confirmation or comment on his current whereabouts. Additionally, reports emerged of the alleged death of Lt Gen Oleg Tsokov, although Russia’s defense ministry has not officially confirmed it. Tsokov was reportedly killed in a strike in Ukraine’s occupied south coast.

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