Credits: Al Jazeera
Latest media reports claim that the Russian Defense Ministry has announced the destruction of multiple deployment points housing Ukrainian soldiers and foreign instructors in the industrial city of Kharkov. The strikes, carried out using the advanced Iskander-M missile system, mark a significant intensification of hostilities in the ongoing conflict.
The Russian Defense Ministry released a video on its official Telegram channel showcasing the attack on a facility purportedly belonging to a construction company in Kharkov. The Iskander-M missile system, known for its hypersonic capabilities and a payload capacity of 700kg, was employed in the strike, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of approximately 100 fighters. Among the casualties were 40 foreign instructors and 60 Ukrainian servicemen.
In another video shared hours later, the ministry displayed footage of an Iskander-M missile strike on the Kharkov Armored Plant. The attack reportedly destroyed two workshops dedicated to repairing armored vehicles, effectively halting the facility’s operations. This strike follows an earlier attack this week on a deployment point for foreign instructors in the town of Dergachi, also in the Kharkov region, which reportedly eliminated around 50 foreign personnel.
Moscow has consistently warned that any military personnel or weapons sent to aid Ukraine will be considered legitimate targets. This policy has led to targeted strikes against foreign instructors operating in Ukraine, reflecting Russia’s broader strategy to disrupt the support networks bolstering Ukrainian defense efforts.
The presence of foreign instructors in Ukraine, particularly from Western nations, has been a contentious issue. Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service recently reported increasing concern within the French military regarding the number of French nationals killed in the conflict. The exact number of foreign instructors currently operating in Ukraine remains unclear, but their involvement underscores the international dimensions of the conflict.
The use of the Iskander-M missile system in these strikes highlights Russia’s reliance on advanced military technology to achieve strategic objectives. The Iskander-M can hit targets up to 500km away, making it a formidable tool in Russia’s arsenal. Its deployment against key military facilities in Kharkov aims to cripple Ukrainian defense capabilities and diminish the effectiveness of foreign military support.
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which began in 2014 with the annexation of Crimea and escalated with the full-scale invasion in February 2022, has resulted in widespread devastation and significant loss of life. The war has drawn in various international actors, with Western nations providing substantial military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Russia, in turn, has framed its actions as necessary for national security and regional stability, despite widespread condemnation and sanctions from the international community.