(IntegrityPress.org) – Russian forces accidentally fired upon their own paratroopers during a training exercise at the Kuzminsky military range in the Rostov region, resulting in the death of 2 soldiers. The mishap occurred when an operator of a ZU anti-aircraft gun mistakenly identified the training drills as an actual invasion by Ukrainian paratroopers, leading him to open fire on his comrades.
Such incidents, though rare, have been noted before. Oleksandr Shtupun, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Tavria operational group, highlighted on national television that heightened tensions have made Russian soldiers trigger-happy, causing them to “react aggressively to any movement.”
The occurrence raises concerns about the psychological state of Russian troops, especially as the Rostov region acts as a vital logistical hub for Russia’s military activities near the Ukrainian border. Reports suggest that disarray and bad communication among units could be contributing factors to these tragic mistakes. For instance, a Russian soldier previously revealed how miscommunication led to unintended attacks on fellow troops. Video evidence also circulated online depicted Russian forces inadvertently shelling their own positions, believing they were engaging with retreating Ukrainian forces.
This incident isn’t an isolated one. In past instances, mistakes by Russian troops resulted in significant casualties. As forementioned, in a hasty retreat from Opytne in September, Russian artillery mistakenly targeted their own forces, leading to numerous casualties. There have also been reports of Russian military assets, like the Su-25 jet, being lost due to friendly fire incidents.
Adding to the list of unfortunate events, a Russian aircraft mistakenly dropped an FAB-250 bomb on the occupied town of Rubizhne in the Luhansk region, attributing it to an “accidental release” of the bomb.
These incidents underscore the challenges and risks associated with the ongoing military operations and the imperative need for enhanced coordination and communication among Russian military units.
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