Latest news with #239thPolygon
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Drapatyi made Commander of Joint Forces after submitting resignation over Russian strike on Ukrainian training camp
Mykhailo Drapatyi has been appointed Commander of the Joint Forces after submitting his resignation as Ground Forces Commander, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on June 3. Drapatyi resigned from his previous role on June 1 following a deadly Russian missile strike that killed at least 12 Ukrainian soldiers at a training camp in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast earlier that day. He was then summoned to a meeting with Zelensky on June 3. "I explained to the president the reasons for my decision (to resign). The president heard me, supported me, and suggested that we focus on the main issues — the war, the front line, and victory," Drapatyi wrote on Telegram. The commander also emphasized the need to change the culture of commanders' attitudes toward their soldiers, the performance of their duties, and the value of the life of every Ukrainian soldier. "I received a task from the president. I am staying in the ranks, on the front line. Where I have to be, where I can do the most," Drapatyi said. During his evening address, Zelensky said that Drapatyi would be appointed Commander of the Joint Forces and focus "exclusively on combat issues." The Russian strike in question hit the 239th Polygon, a Ground Forces training ground north of the city of Dnipro, on June 1. Drapatyi, confirming the location and when announcing his resignation, said the victims were mostly young recruits who "should have learned, lived, and fought — not died." The attack killed 12 people and injured more than 60 others, according to the Ground Forces press office. The Ground Forces said that if the investigation finds negligence or misconduct contributed to the casualties, those responsible will face strict accountability. Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian training sites have intensified in recent months. The 239th Polygon was also struck by an Iskander missile in March. Russia had previously attacked Ukrainian training grounds several times when Ukrainian soldiers were lining up to be awarded for their service. The attacks, which resulted in heavy casualties, provoked criticism of the top military leadership, which allowed negligence at military facilities. Read also: As Ukraine's fate hangs in the balance, 'Soviet' command culture damages war effort We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Zelensky summons Drapatyi, who submitted resignation over Russian strike on Ukrainian training camp
President Volodymyr Zelensky has summoned Land Forces Commander Mykhailo Drapatyi for a high-level meeting after the latter submitted his resignation following a deadly Russian missile strike that killed at least 12 Ukrainian soldiers at a training camp in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Zelensky said on June 1. The meeting, scheduled following peace talks with a Russian delegation in Istanbul on June 2, will include top military officials: Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, Chief of the General Staff Andrii Hnatov, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. "I scheduled a meeting... to sort it all out," Zelensky said in a video address. "All our combat soldiers are needed at the front — to defend Ukraine. Every one of them. And we must protect every life. All decisions necessary to ensure this will be made." The strike hit the 239th Polygon, a Ground Forces training ground north of the city of Dnipro. Drapatyi, confirming the location and announcing his resignation, said the victims were mostly young recruits who "should have learned, lived, and fought — not died." Drapatyi's superiors have yet to confirm whether his resignation has been accepted. Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian training sites have intensified in recent months. The 239th Polygon was also struck by an Iskander missile in March. The Land Forces press office said that if the investigation finds negligence or misconduct contributed to the casualties, those responsible will face strict accountability. Read also: 12 Ukrainian soldiers dead, 60 injured after Russian missile strike on training center We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Ukrainian Land Forces Commander resigns after Russian attack that killed 12 soldiers on training grounds
The head of the Land Forces of Ukraine resigned on June 1 following a Russian attack that killed 12 service members under his command. "I have made the decision to file a letter of resignation from the position of Commander of the Land Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces," Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi in a statement on Telegram. "Twelve dead. There are injured. These are young lads from the training battalion. Most of them were in shelters. They should have learned, lived, and fought – not died." Drapatyi was referring to an incident in the morning of June 1 in which a Russian missile attack struck a training field and killed 12 soldiers and wounded 60 more. The field was at the time unidentified, but Drapatiy named it as the 239th Polygon, north of the city of Dnipro. Russia has targeted Ukrainian training grounds aggressively in recent months. The 239th Polygon was also the site of a similar attack with an Iskander ballistic missile in March. At the time, Drapatyi wrote: "Everyone who made decisions that day, and everyone who did not make them on time, will be held accountable. No one will hide behind explanations or formal reports." In its announcement of the June 1 attack, the Land Forces press office wrote: "In the event of a determination that the action or inaction of responsible individuals led to the death and injury of servicemen, those responsible will be brought to strict accountability." Read also: 12 Ukrainian soldiers dead, 60 injured after Russian missile strike on training center We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
