Ukraine announced on Sunday the opening of an investigation into the killing of a group of soldiers who may have been killed on Friday by a Russian missile strike during a medal ceremony.
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More than 20 Ukrainian soldiers from an assault brigade died on Friday in the attack in the Zaporizhya region, the online newspaper Ukrainska Pravda reported.
It was not immediately possible to verify the circumstances of the attack.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustam Umarov described the incident as a “tragedy” and ordered a comprehensive investigation.
“We must do everything we can to protect our people and provide honest answers to the families and friends of fallen soldiers,” he said on Saturday evening.
The Ukrainian army confirmed that a number of soldiers were killed, without specifying the number.
“On November 3, the enemy carried out treacherous attacks in the direction of Zaporizhya,” the Ukrainian military commented on Saturday.
The army added: “In particular, an Iskander-M missile was fired at members of the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade, killing the soldiers and wounding residents of the area with injuries of varying severity.”
A Ukrainian soldier wrote on social media that 22 people from the brigade were killed and that they had gathered for a ceremony to present military medals.
Everyone writes that “heroes are dead.” However, it would be appropriate to write “Heroes became victims,” said Private Ivan Savitsky.
Zakarpattia region in western Ukraine, where the soldiers died, will observe three days of mourning starting Monday, local governor Viktor Mikita said.
“Our heroes are alive as long as their memory and deeds last,” he said on Sunday.
