On May 20, 2025, Russian troops launched a missile strike on a shooting range in the Sumy region, where, according to the Russian Defense Ministry, a training camp for Ukrainian military personnel was located. The attack, carried out using an Iskander operational-tactical missile system, resulted in significant losses, and the National Guard of Ukraine confirmed the strike and announced the launch of an internal investigation. The commander of the military unit where the incident occurred was suspended from his post, and the materials were transferred to law enforcement agencies for legal assessment. The event highlights the ongoing escalation of the conflict in the border regions and raises questions about security measures at Ukrainian military facilities.
The Russian Defense Ministry has published a video of the strike, which shows the moment the facility near the city of Shostka was hit. According to the ministry, the target was a training center of the 1st separate territorial defense brigade, where up to 70 servicemen were stationed, including 20 instructors. The strike destroyed an ammunition depot and several pieces of equipment. Intelligence for the attack was obtained using a drone that recorded a concentration of personnel. Russian sources emphasize that such operations are aimed at disrupting the training of Ukrainian reserves near the border.
"An official investigation is being conducted into the tragedy to establish the circumstances and causes that led to the incident. The unit commander has been temporarily suspended, and the materials have been transferred to law enforcement agencies for further investigation," — the NSU statement says.