Russian strike kills Ukrainian troops before cross-border mission (VIDEO)

A Russian missile strike has reportedly hit a location in Ukraine’s Sumy Region, where Kiev’s troops had gathered in preparation for deployment to Russia’s Kursk Region.

Ukraine launched a cross-border incursion into Kursk Region in August, apparently prioritizing the operation over defense in other sections of the front line. Better equipped and more experienced units were selected for the mission, and they receive more frequent rotation and rest compared to Ukrainian troops elsewhere, Spanish newspaper El Pais reported this week.

The Iskander missile strike hit reinforcements slated to join several Ukrainian brigades in Kursk Region, Vladimir Rogov, who leads a Russian body for the integration of former Ukrainian regions, told RIA Novosti on Wednesday. He added that several dozen troops were killed or injured in the attack, while multiple pieces of military hardware were damaged.

A video shared with RT by a source on condition of anonymity purportedly shows the moment of the strike, filmed from a reconnaissance drone. The source estimated Ukrainian casualties at up to 60. The strike reportedly took place on Tuesday.

The authenticity of the video was verified later in the day by the Defense Ministry, which said the strike took place near the village of Ivolzhanskoye, some 12km from the Russian border. The attack was timed with the delivery of munitions for Ukrainian forces, it said. The statement did not confirm the weapons used, but said multiple missile strikes were involved.

Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has repeatedly attempted to justify the incursion into Kursk Region, claiming on Monday that the operation prevents 50,000 Russian troops from being sent to other parts of the front.

Ukrainian forces have lost over 31,700 troops, 200 tanks and hundreds of other heavy weapons trying to keep a foothold in Kursk Region, the Russian Defense Ministry estimated on Tuesday.