Russian forces launched a missile strike on 4 June, targeting a training unit of the Ukrainian Ground Forces in Poltava Oblast, according to the Ground Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Prior to this, Poltava Oblast Governor Volodymyr Kohut informed about an explosion in the Poltava community.

The attack resulted in wounded personnel, according to the Ground Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Military servicemen were conducting training exercises at a training ground when the strike occurred.

“Thanks to timely security measures, including dispersal of personnel, use of shelters and adherence to protocols during air raid alerts, it was possible to prevent a large number of casualties,” the Ground Forces Command said.

A special commission has been established to investigate the circumstances of the incident and assess the damage. The commission’s findings will be made public after the investigation is completed.

The strike follows a previous attack on 1 June, when Russian forces hit another Ground Forces training unit, killing at least 12 people and injuring more than 60.

Following that tragedy, Ground Forces Commander Mykhailo Drapatyi submitted his resignation, saying he “failed to fully ensure the implementation of his orders” as commander.

Drapatyi later remained in his position within the military.

“An army where no one is held accountable for losses dies from within.” With these words, Commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, Mykhailo Drapatyi, has announced he is resigning after a Russian attack on the Kyiv forces’ military training base. 

Drapatyi announced his decision via social media. 

“This is a conscious step, driven by my personal sense of responsibility for the tragedy at the 239th training ground… This is my responsibility,” he wrote on Telegram. 

The general emphasized that impunity and complicity are toxic for the army and admitted that his efforts to change the system were not enough.

“We have no right to live in a system that doesn’t learn… Without personal responsibility, there is no victory,” he claimed. 

Drapatyi said he had initiated a full review of the incident, including the commanders’ actions, the condition of the shelters, and the effectiveness of the alert system.

Ukraine’s military command reported that a commission and internal investigation had been launched into the strike, and promised that those responsible would be held strictly accountable.

During the war, Mykhailo Drapatyi rose through the ranks from battalion commander to Deputy Chief of the General Staff. In his previous roles, Drapatyi was responsible for planning military operations.

From the early days of Russia’s aggression in 2014, he led the 2nd Mechanized Battalion of the 72nd Brigade, which took part in the liberation of Mariupol in May of that year.