65 Russian soldiers are killed by Ukrainian missile strike after being ordered to line up and parade by blundering war commander
Russian troops suffered one of the most devastating blows of the war when a Ukrainian HIMARS missile attack wiped out 65 soldiers who had been ordered into formation by a blundering commander.
Harrowing images taken by shocked survivors showed dozens of bodies strewn across a pockmarked, charred field in the aftermath of the attack.
The soldiers and officers were killed en masse – and more were injured – as they were ordered by the leading war commander, Major General Oleg Moiseev, 49, to line up for an impromptu inspection.
Ukraine clearly had information about the meeting with the disciplinarian Moiseev, commander of the 29th Army of the Eastern Military District and a hero of the pro-Putin propagandists.
According to Russian sources, the precise HIMARS attack took place just before the major general reached the site, destroying his company and wounding dozens of others.
Russia’s air force also suffered a setback today, with Ukraine claiming to have shot down another Russian Su-34 fighter jet, according to Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk – the seventh enemy fighter in a week.
Harrowing footage taken by shocked survivors shows dozens of bodies strewn across a pockmarked, charred field in the aftermath of the attack
At least 65 Russian soldiers standing in formation were killed
The dead soldiers line up as comrades prepare body bags
Ukraine clearly had information about the meeting with the disciplinarian Moiseev, commander of the 29th Army of the Eastern Military District and a hero of the pro-Putin propagandists.
Russian military war bloggers reacted angrily to the folly of Moiseev’s inspection of the 4th, 5th and 6th companies of the 36th Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade in Trudivske, occupied Donetsk region.
One angry comment read: “One can only be surprised at the lack of knowledge of (commanders) in the second year of (the war).”
There was personal blame for Major General Moiseev, a commander with three orders of valor who was the subject of a compelling propaganda film by Putin’s favorite TV cheerleader Vladimir Solovyov.
Another channel said: ‘He set up this formation. He killed these men.”
War reporter Andrei Rudenko criticized commanders like Moiseev for deploying their troops close to the front line “to simply show how important you are.”
He sarcastically posted, “There is a very high chance you will receive a HIMARS MLRS missile in what is called your head.
‘Therefore, take good care of yourself and your subordinates!’
Prominent pro-Kremlin politician Vladimir Rogov lashed out at the “criminal practice” of parading soldiers in front of commanders in “missile-ridden terrain.”
Many of the dead troops were from the TransBaikal region of Siberia.
Authorities there today tried to stop the spread of reports of the massacre among soldiers.
The Very Mobile Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) are self-propelled launchers equipped with a rocket pod that can fire a range of different weapons.
They can fire six missiles in succession, allowing Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory and spread the damage over a large radius.
War reporter Andrei Rudenko criticized commanders like Moiseev for deploying their troops close to the front line ‘to simply show how important you are’
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu is seen briefing Putin on the Russian victory in Avdiivka
HIMARS launchers can fire a number of different missiles
The costly blunder came as Putin tried to bask in the glory of his troops’ small advance in Avdiivka, following a tactical retreat by the Ukrainian army.
The dictator told his Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu: “As for the overall situation in Avdiivka, this is an absolute success.
‘I congratulate you. It has to be built upon.’
Shoigu boasted: “The operation for the liberation of Avdiivka will be included in textbooks and studied in all educational institutions of the (Russian) Ministry of Defense.”
In an effort to impress, he also reportedly lied to Putin about the capture of another strategically important Ukrainian village of Krynki, in the Kherson region, which military bloggers and war observers say is still in Ukrainian hands.
“It is indeed true… Krynki has been acquitted of Ukraine,” Shoigu told his boss.
The Russian Telegram channel Thirteenth reported: ‘How many more fantastic versions will be reported to the top (Putin)?
“This is not positive propaganda, this is an outright lie (by Shoigu).”