Russian forces attack Ukrainian assault brigade during award ceremony, killing 20 soldiers

Russian forces killed 20 soldiers of the 128th mountain assault brigade during their award gathering in the front-line town in the Zaporizhzhia region, several sources in the defense ministry confirm.

The soldiers were gathered for the award ceremony on November 3, Ukrainska Pravda citing own sources in the AFU, reports. Soon, the AFU Strategic Communications department confirmed the tragedy.

Russian forces used the Iskander ballistic missile to strike the town of Zarichne, as the soldiers celebrated the Day of Artillery Units.

The Suspilne outlet confirmed Russian pictures from the tragedy site, which were posted with explicit details of the attack.

The AFU General Staff did not specify the final number of killed, as it doesn't report casualties during the full-scale war.

Except from the killed troops, the missile could've injured civilians and other soldiers.

Zakarpattia region's Governor Viktor Mykyta did not directly confirm the details of the incident but wrote that "after official information and with the permission of the 128th Separate Mountain Assault Brigade, there will be an order to honor the fallen soldiers."

Mykyta also advised people to "visit churches and pray for our defenders."

The brigade originates from western Ukraine's Zakarpattia region.

Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced the investigation on the tragedy.

Russian attack on a packed site previously happened in Chernihiv on August 19, when the ballistic missiles destroyed the theater building and injured 156 civilians.