A devastating Russian missile strike on a Ukrainian National Guard training exercise in the Sumy region has left six servicemen dead and more than 10 others injured, Ukrainian officials confirmed on Wednesday.
The strike reportedly occurred while troops were conducting exercises at a firing range in northern Sumy, close to the Russian border. Ukraine’s National Guard has launched an official investigation into the incident and has suspended the unit’s commander pending the outcome.
Russia’s Defence Ministry released a video allegedly showing the moment of the Iskander missile strike, which depicts dozens of troops near a wooded path followed by a powerful explosion. While Ukrainian officials confirmed six deaths, Russia’s state news agency Tass claimed up to 70 soldiers may have been killed a figure that remains unverified.
The incident underscores the continuing volatility of the Sumy region, which has suffered repeated Russian bombardments. Ukrainian forces had previously launched an operation from Sumy into Russia’s Kursk region, aiming to create a buffer zone. Ukraine’s military leadership insisted the move had strategic value, forcing Russia to divert elite units to repel the incursion.
Despite that claim, criticism from within Ukraine’s ranks has surfaced. Battalion commander Oleksandr Shyrshyn condemned what he described as “moronic tasks” set by military leadership, blaming them for unnecessary casualties.
The missile attack comes just a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Kursk, his first trip to the region since Ukrainian troops were expelled. He met with local officials and volunteers, and toured a nuclear power facility, according to Russian state media.
Adding to the complexity, the Kremlin has reportedly deployed thousands of North Korean soldiers to the region to bolster Russian efforts to retake lost ground.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts appear to be faltering. Although low-level discussions between Ukraine and Russia occurred in Istanbul last week, hopes for a ceasefire remain dim. Italy has signaled its willingness to support peace talks, possibly in coordination with the Vatican, as part of a broader mediation initiative reportedly tied to former U.S. President Donald Trump.
As the war drags on, the deadly Sumy strike serves as a grim reminder of the high human cost and the fragile nature of military operations near contested border regions.
