Ukrainian forces struck HIMARS missile on a military training center in the Russian-held Donetsk region killing at least 60 soldiers, BBC News reported citing sources Wednesday.
The attack reportedly came hours before Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with his Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu Tuesday.
Transbaikal governor Alexander Osipov confirmed the strike in his Telegram channel, but said that the reports about it were "inaccurate and grossly exaggerated", saying “full and accurate information would be provided to the families of all the soldiers involved.”
According to the report citing sources, the Russian soldiers were at the site as Maj-Gen Oleg Moiseyev, commander of the 29th Army of the Eastern military region was arriving at a training area near the village of Trudovske.
The attack also came after the Russian forces took control of the strategic Ukrainian town of Avdiivka last week.
The report noted that the group of soldiers hit was the 36th Motorised Rifle Brigade, normally based in the Transbaikal region of Siberia.
A purported video of a surviving soldier said in the recording after the attack that the brigade's commanders had made them stand in an open field.
"No one will be left without help or support," he added.
Ukrainian authorities have yet to release an official statement on the incident.
The victory of Avdiivka, once home to 32,000 residents, marks Putin's most significant battlefield achievement since the capture of Bakhmut in May 2023.
Television footage released by Russia's defence ministry depicted the aftermath, with almost every house in Avdiivka bearing the scars of war. President Putin, praising the overall success in Avdiivka, emphasised the need for a well-prepared and equipped continuation of their advances.
Despite the Ukrainian military's withdrawal to prevent complete encirclement after months of fierce fighting, casualties were reported, and both sides claimed substantial losses.
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