Russia launched a missile attack on a military training facility of Ukraine’s Ground Forces on July 29, killing at least three soldiers and injuring another 18.
“Despite the security measures taken, unfortunately, it was not possible to completely avoid casualties among the personnel,” the Ground Forces said.
An official investigation into the causes of the personnel losses has been launched. A commission led by the head of the Military Law Enforcement Service has also been set up to investigate the attack.
“If it’s found that the actions or inaction of officials led to the deaths and injuries of military personnel, those responsible will be held accountable,” they said.
Military leadership is also implementing “additional security measures” to safeguard the lives of soldiers during Russian strikes on training grounds and training centers.
The attack follows a series of Russian strikes on Ukrainian military training facilities in May and June.
“The entire territory of Ukraine is within range of enemy missiles and drones,” Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said after a monthly meeting on troop preparedness. “The training process must be moved underground as much as possible.”
Syrskyi emphasized that improving troop training and safety remains a top priority for the Armed Forces.
Under a revised training program, Ukraine has extended its basic combat course from 49 to 51 days and added new modules on drone warfare, trench survival, and engineering.
More Civilians Killed in Russian Strikes This Week
At least 22 people, including 16 inmates and a pregnant woman, were killed in Russian air attacks on southeastern Ukraine overnight on Tuesday. The hit came just a day after United States President Donald Trump set Russia a new deadline of “10 or 12 days” to reach a peace deal in its war on Ukraine or face tough new sanctions, shortening a 50-day deadline he had set earlier this month.
On Thursday, a child was among six people killed and more than 50 injured in Kyiv after Russia unleashed a combined missile and drone attack on the Ukrainian capital.
“There is extensive damage to residential infrastructure. In one of the residential districts, an entire section of an apartment block has been destroyed. As of now, six people are known to have been killed, including a six-year-old boy,” President Zelensky posted on X.
Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha wrote: “It’s a horrible morning in Kyiv. The brutal Russian strikes destroyed entire residential buildings and damaged schools and hospitals. Civilians are injured and killed. There are still people under the rubble.” He added, sharing a photo of the damage: “It is probably time to reduce to zero all of the timeframes that were given to Putin to demonstrate a constructive approach.
President Trump has been very generous and very patient with Putin, trying to find a solution. [But] Putin…does not care about any attempts to put an end to the killing. He seeks only to destroy and kill. The entire existence of this war criminal is based on this senseless war, which he cannot win but refuses to end. He must face justice.”
Kremlin Unconcerned by Trump’s Ultimatum
The attack came as a senior Kremlin official said, in response to President Trump’s 10-12-day ultimatum, that Russia had developed “immunity to sanctions” after living under them for years.
“We have been living under a huge number of sanctions for quite a long time – our economy operates under a huge number of restrictions,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on July 30.
Trump previously warned Russia that Washington would start imposing punitive tariffs and other measures in 10-12 days if Moscow did not prepare to end the war in Ukraine.
Trump has threatened to keep trade with Russia to a minimum amid an escalating war of words with the Kremlin over the ceasefire ultimatum. Hours after the US said it will impose a 25 percent tariff on goods imported from India starting on Friday, Trump posted the following on his Truth Social account, having slammed India’s trade with Russia despite the ongoing war with Ukraine:
“I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care. We have done very little business with India, their tariffs are too high, among the highest in the world. Likewise, Russia and the USA do almost no business together. Let’s keep it that way, and tell Medvedev, the failed former President of Russia, who thinks he’s still President, to watch his words. He’s entering very dangerous territory!”
The White House had previously warned India about its high average applied tariffs.
“They have always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia, and are Russia’s largest buyer of ENERGY, along with China, at a time when everyone wants Russia to STOP THE KILLING IN UKRAINE — ALL THINGS NOT GOOD!” Mr Trump said on July 30.
Zelensky Backtracks on Anti-Corruption Amendments amid Protests
Ukrainian lawmakers are set to review a bill aimed at restoring the independence of the country’s two leading anti-corruption agencies, following a political crisis that has tested public trust in President Volodymyr Zelensky’s wartime leadership.
Mass protests erupted in Kyiv and other cities after Zelensky’s ruling party rushed through controversial amendments last week that weakened the agencies. Facing growing backlash and pressure from top EU officials—who warned the move could jeopardize Ukraine’s EU membership bid—Zelensky reversed course and submitted a new bill to restore their autonomy.
Despite the move, demonstrations have continued. Hundreds gathered near the presidential administration in Kyiv late yesterday, chanting “Shame!” and “The people are the power!”
“I really want parliament to vote for the new measure just as quickly as it did last time,” said protester Kateryna Kononenko, 36.
Activists are now calling for more demonstrations near parliament ahead of the upcoming vote to push lawmakers to approve the bill.
Compiled by Ana Dumbadze
