Defence Minister on attack on 128th Brigade: Soldiers were warned about Russian UAV. All responsible to be punished

Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umierov has reported on the results of the investigation into the circumstances of the Russian missile attack which killed 19 soldiers of the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade in Zaporizhzhia Oblast on 3 November.

Source: Defence Minister Rustem Umierov on social media

Quote from Umierov: "The Chief Inspectorate of the Ministry of Defence has reported to me on the investigation results into the circumstances of the missile attack on the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade. Now we know what happened and how it happened minute by minute. We have figured out what led to the tragedy and how it could have been prevented.

Yes, they really gathered the soldiers in the yard to present them with awards. All the rules of camouflage were ignored. More than ten cars were parked nearby.

At that time, there was a Russian reconnaissance drone in the sky. It was detected. An air-raid warning was issued throughout the oblast. The soldiers were warned about the sector where the enemy UAV was operating. As soon as the missile launch was detected, the relevant signal was sent out to them. No centralised security measures were taken at the award ceremony. 

The investigation into this case is ongoing. In particular, it is being conducted by the State Bureau of Investigation. All those responsible for this tragedy will be punished according to the law."

Details: Umierov said he had instructed the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to check the implementation of security protocols in all units.

Quote: "I appeal to all commanders responsible for the safety of soldiers: neglect of basic security measures is unacceptable."

Background:

• Earlier, Ukrainska Pravda’s sources reported that Russia had attacked a group of soldiers of the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade in a frontline village in Zaporizhzhia Oblast at 10:00 on 3 November. It was reported then that more than 20 soldiers might have been killed. The soldiers were supposedly gathered in one place to be awarded in honour of the Day of Ukraine’s Rocket Forces and Artillery.
• The 128th Mountain Assault Brigade based in Zakarpattia Oblast has confirmed the deaths of 19 soldiers.
• On the evening of 4 November, Umierov instructed the Defence Ministry's Chief Inspectorate to conduct a full investigation into the tragedy.
• A three-day mourning period was declared in Zakarpattia Oblast due to the mass death of soldiers of the 128th Brigade, who were targeted by Russia during a festive award ceremony.
• President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the tragedy with the mass death of soldiers of the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade in Zaporizhzhia Oblast could have been prevented. The president stressed that an investigation is underway to provide the families of the deceased soldiers and the Ukrainian society with honest answers as to how the tragedy occurred and whose orders were wrong.

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