Photo: kyivindependent
There have been no official comments from Ukraine’s Defense Forces so far.
Yesterday, the Eastern Military Group reported that a Russian strike on the Dnipropetrovsk region on Saturday resulted in Ukrainian servicemen being killed and wounded. Today, TSN journalist Dmytro Sviatnenko said the strike once again hit a formation of Ukrainian troops, adding that his brother — 43-year-old Volodymyr “Znakhar” Sviatnenko, a UAV pilot — was among those killed.
According to Sviatnenko, Volodymyr and several of his comrades, described as “the best pilots and infantrymen in the brigade,” were ordered to gather in an open area for an awards ceremony. A ballistic missile struck during the event. The journalist sharply criticized the command’s actions, calling it a “story of negligence” that took place far from the front line. The brigade and the Defense Forces have not yet provided details.
Later, the State Bureau of Investigation announced it had launched investigative actions. Authorities are examining whether safety measures during the air-raid alert were followed and whether proper shelter arrangements were in place. The case is being investigated under Part 4 of Article 425 of the Criminal Code — negligent attitude toward military service during wartime.
