The Russian defense ministry stated that Ukraine struck a prison in Olenivka with U.S.-made HIMARS rockets, killing at least 53 Ukrainian prisoners and wounding 75.
"A missile strike from the U.S.-made multiple launch rocket system was carried out on a pre-trial detention center in the area of the settlement of Olenivka, where Ukrainian military prisoners of war, including fighters from the Azov battalion, are being held," the defense ministry said in its daily briefing.
"As a result of an overnight shelling by the Ukrainian armed formations of the premises of the Volnovakha penal colony No. 120 […] in the Yelenovka populated locality where Ukrainian POWs are being held, 53 people were killed and 75 were wounded," the statement on the headquarters’ Telegram channel said on Friday.
British Defense Minister Ben Wallace says that Russia is failing in "many areas" in its war in Ukraine and President Vladimir Putin might seek to change strategy again.
"The Russians are failing at the moment on the ground in many areas ... Putin's plan A, B, and C has failed and he may look to plan D," Wallace told Sky News television.
On Thursday, at least five citizens were killed and 25 others injured in Russian strikes on the central Ukrainian region of Kyrovograd.
“Twenty-five people have been transferred to medical facilities and are receiving treatment. Five are dead,” the region’s governor Andriy Raikovich said in a video on his social media.
Raikovich also noted that the strikes had hit two hangars at around 12:20 (0920 GMT). About 12 servicemen were among the wounded, according to the Interfax-Ukraine news agency.
The agency reported that the attack damaged “aviation equipment”, aircraft, and nearby buildings.
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