Published: August 20, 2024 11:47 am
Author: RT
The night strike targeted a site in Sumy Region, which is essential for Kiev’s logistics in its ongoing incursion into Russia
A Russian airstrike has destroyed a Ukrainian command post in Sumy Region, the Defense Ministry in Moscow has claimed, releasing footage of the overnight attack.
The strike took place early on Tuesday morning, the Russian military said. A supersonic Su-34 multipurpose jet deployed glide bombs against the target, which the ministry identified as operated by the 47th Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian ground forces.
The aerial footage shows a dark cityscape with a road junction, which RT understands is located in the middle of the city of Glukhov, some 15km from the Russian border. A massive explosion erupts from one of the buildings, which is marked as a car repair shop on Google Maps. A secondary explosion soon follows.
The Russian military claimed the site was used by the 47th Mechanized Brigade as a command post and munitions depot. Ukrainian military personnel, including officers in leadership positions, were killed in the strike, the report said.
The ministry did not estimate the number of Ukrainian casualties, but unverified reports by military-focused online news media claim as many as 90 troops were killed, including 30 higher up the chain of command than regular soldiers.
Sumy Region borders Russia’s Kursk Region, where Kiev is currently trying to seize territory in an offensive operation launched two weeks ago. One of the goals of the incursion, as stated by Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky, is to establish a “buffer zone” to prevent Russian cross-border attacks. Moscow considers the incursion terrorist in nature, claiming that Kiev has been deliberately targeting civilians.
READ MORE: Ukrainian armor in Kursk Region goes up in smoke – MOD (VIDEO)
The Russian military estimated Ukrainian losses in the offensive at up to 3,800 as of Monday. The push has also cost Kiev hundreds of tanks and other pieces of heavy weaponry, many of which were provided by Western donors, according to the Russian military.
