Foreign Volunteers Killed in Russian Strike on Ukrainian Army Camp
At least ten foreign volunteers fighting for the Ukrainian army died on July 21 when a Russian missile struck a dining hall at a training camp near Kropyvnytskyi. This incident marks one of the deadliest attacks on foreign fighters throughout the war, reports 24brussels.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces confirmed the casualties without disclosing further details. Among the victims were recruits from the United States, Colombia, Taiwan, Denmark, and other nations.
The New York Times noted that the devastating attack underscores the risks Ukraine faces as it gathers soldiers in locations such as military academies and barracks, which have increasingly become targets for Russian assaults.
An American volunteer from Florida described the explosion as the loudest he had ever heard. He recounted seeing dismembered bodies and severely injured soldiers scattered around the site. He estimated at least 15 fatalities and more than 100 injuries, emphasizing that air raid alarms had not sounded prior to the strike.
Previous strikes on training facilities have also resulted in Ukrainian military casualties. Last year, over 50 cadets and soldiers died in a missile attack in Poltava, with many more wounded. Additionally, on July 29, three recruits were killed and 18 injured in a strike on a training academy.
The recent attacks have sparked calls for an investigation to determine whether excessive risks had been posed to those at these locations. Journalists recalled a statement from Commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, Oleksandr Syrskiy, urging soldiers at training sites to “immediately respond to air raid alerts and enemy drones.” He further indicated that training would be relocated to more secure underground areas “whenever possible.” On July 1, Syrskiy had prohibited the gathering of personnel and military equipment as well as the use of tent cities for soldiers.
Notably, on the night of August 12, Russian forces conducted a missile strike on a territory belonging to one of the training units of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, resulting in one death and 11 injuries among the military personnel.
