A Russian ballistic missile attack on the Kharkiv region in northeastern Ukraine killed dozens of Western military instructors, according to state media reports, citing Russia’s Defense Ministry.
A defense ministry source told the state-run TASS news agency that an Iskander-M missile defense system targeted the temporary deployment site of instructors and mercenaries from Western countries in Derhachi, Kharkiv region.
Derhachi is situated approximately 12 kilometers northwest of Kharkiv city.
The source claimed that around 50 foreign instructors were killed in the strike but did not provide details on the timing of the attack. No further information was given.
Ukrainian authorities did not immediately comment on the reported attack.
In March, Moscow alleged that its forces had killed nearly 6,000 foreign volunteers fighting for Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Following the invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the formation of an international territorial defense legion comprising foreign fighters supporting Kyiv.
Earlier,
Russia’s defense ministry reported a significant operation in Crimea, where they intercepted and destroyed a total of 33 Ukrainian aerial drones and 10 naval drones en route to the peninsula.
This defensive action was detailed in a Telegram post, emphasizing the air defense systems’ successful neutralization of aerial threats over Crimea. At the same time, naval forces in the Black Sea intercepted drones approaching from maritime routes.
Earlier in the day, Sevastopol governor Mikhail Razvozhayev linked loud noises heard in the city to the Russian military’s response to an attempted attack by a surface drone.
The incident underscores heightened tensions in the region, following Moscow’s recent accusation that Ukraine used US missiles in a deadly strike in Crimea, resulting in casualties and injuries.
Meanwhile, in Russia’s Bryansk region, two additional drones were reportedly neutralized overnight, as confirmed by local governor Alexander Bogomaz via Telegram. Fortunately, there were no casualties or damage reported from these incidents.
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has seen intensified hostilities this year, with Ukraine targeting energy sites it claims to support the Russian military, along with towns and villages near the border and within Crimea. Drones have been crucial for both sides since the conflict escalated in 2022.
The annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 remains a contentious issue globally, deemed illegal by the international community, including Turkey and the UN General Assembly.
The ongoing military engagements and technological skirmishes underscore the volatile nature of the region, with drone warfare becoming increasingly prevalent in modern conflicts.
As tensions persist, international scrutiny continues over the legality and implications of military actions in Crimea.
