Russian strike kills Ukrainian command post, Western instructors: MoD
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According to the ministry’s statement, the strike eliminated up to 85 individuals, including officers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and foreign operatives assisting the Kiev regime.
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In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, a car burns following a Russian missile attack, in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, Friday, April 4, 2025 (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP)
Russian armed forces carried out what it described as 'a precision missile strike' on Thursday against a command meeting involving senior Ukrainian military personnel and foreign instructors in the city of Kryvyi Rih (Krivoy Rog), the Russian Defense Ministry announced on Friday.
"On April 4, at 18:49 [local time, 15:49 GMT], a high-precision rocket landed at the venue of a meeting with compound commanders and Western instructors in one of the restaurants in the city of Krivoy Rog," the ministry said.
According to the Russian ministry's claims, the strike eliminated up to 85 individuals, including officers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and foreign operatives assisting the Ukrainian forces. Around 20 units of military transport and equipment were also reportedly destroyed in the strike.
The Russian Defense Ministry noted that this operation was part of a broader series of what it described as "coordinated high-precision strikes" conducted over the past week. Russian forces reportedly carried out seven group strikes using long-range weapons and unmanned systems, targeting Ukrainian airfields, ammunition depots, and logistical hubs.
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The strike on Kryvyi Rih comes at a time of heightened military coordination between Ukraine and NATO member states. Recent reports indicate that European countries are moving to deepen defense ties with Ukraine, including ongoing talks over the potential deployment of a multinational "reassurance force." Spearheaded by France and the UK, the force would involve up to 25,000 troops and utilize NATO intelligence and command assets to support Kiev in securing peace and deterring Russia.
Additionally, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed this week that a foreign troop deployment plan could be finalized within a month, signaling an unprecedented level of military integration between Western forces and Ukrainian command structures.
Kryvyi Rih, a strategic logistical and industrial hub, has reportedly served as a key node for coordinating Western military assistance. Russian observers describe Thursday's missile strike as a significant blow to this infrastructure, disrupting NATO-directed operational planning against Russian interests.
