Published: 30 July ‘2025 | The English Chronicle Desk
In a grim escalation of hostilities, Ukraine’s military has confirmed that a Russian missile struck one of its training units, resulting in a devastating loss of life and multiple injuries. The attack, which occurred on Tuesday evening, marked the third time in just over two months that such a strike has targeted Ukrainian military training grounds, underscoring the growing vulnerability of personnel even away from front-line positions.
According to a statement released by Ukraine’s ground forces, the missile strike killed at least three service members and wounded 18 others. While officials did not disclose the precise location of the incident, Ukrainian war correspondent Andrei Taplienko reported that the target was situated in the Chernihiv region, a strategic area north of Kyiv bordering both Russia and Belarus.
Russia’s Ministry of Defence claimed responsibility for the attack, releasing video footage allegedly showing an Iskander ballistic missile impacting a forested area and triggering over 20 cluster-type explosions. Though the authenticity of the footage remains unverified, the Russian authorities insist that the true number of casualties far exceeds the figures acknowledged by Ukraine.
“Despite the security measures taken, unfortunately it was not possible to completely avoid losses among the personnel,” Ukraine’s ground forces posted on social media, reflecting the sobering reality of persistent missile threats even in areas designated for training and preparation.
This recent strike follows two similar and deadly incidents. In May, six Ukrainian servicemen were killed by an Iskander missile in the Sumy region. Last month, another missile strike claimed 12 lives and injured more than 60, prompting an outcry over troop safety and accountability. That tragedy led to the resignation of Mykhailo Drapatyi, commander of Ukraine’s ground forces, who expressed sorrow over the loss of “young guys from a training battalion,” noting that most were in shelters at the time of the attack.
Tuesday’s missile strike has once again raised serious concerns about the adequacy of current protection protocols for Ukrainian troops during training exercises. The military has announced an investigation into whether the “actions or inaction of officials” may have contributed to the casualties.
As the war drags on, such attacks not only sap military strength but also erode morale, especially among new recruits preparing to join the front lines. While Ukraine continues to defend itself against a relentless Russian campaign, incidents like these are a painful reminder of the price paid far from the battlefield.
