Moscow [Russia], November 9: A court in the industrial city of Dnipro on Saturday detained a Ukrainian commander who allegedly gathered 100 soldiers for a celebration - despite a ban - making them a target for a deadly Russian attack.
The State Bureau of Investigation announced the arrest warrant and detention.
Twelve soldiers and seven civilians were killed when missiles and drones struck in the Dnipropetrovsk region on November 1, the General Prosecutor's Office said in Kiev on Saturday. Additionally, 36 soldiers were injured.
The extent of the incident had not been publicly reported until now. Typically, the authorities do not disclose the number of their own soldiers killed.
This is not the first violation of this kind of the martial law that prohibits such gatherings.
According to the investigations, the officer is said to have assembled the soldiers for a ceremony to present them with an award. During the celebration, Russian troops attacked with two ballistic missiles and three drones.
A Ukrainian journalist had previously reported that his brother was killed during the ceremony.
The investigators stated that no previous merits or combat experience of the accused could justify the disregard for safety regulations.
"Under wartime conditions, mass gatherings, ceremonies or awards in areas where there is a potential missile threat are prohibited. Commanders bear personal responsibility for the lives and safety of their subordinates," the investigators stressed. Award ceremonies in Ukraine occur repeatedly - in safe locations. President Volodymyr Zelensky also conducts them.
Source: Qatar Tribune
