On Monday, November 6, the 128th Separate Guards Mountain Assault Brigade made its first statement about the missile strike by Russian forces in Zaporizhzhia, stating that it lost 19 of its soldiers.
"The missile strike by a treacherous enemy claimed the lives of 19 soldiers from the 128th Separate Guards Mountain Assault Brigade. A thorough investigation of all the circumstances of this tragedy is currently underway, and until it is completed, we kindly request not to spread unverified, often fake information. The best of our soldiers have lost their lives," the statement from the 128th Brigade on Facebook reads.
On November 4, the Strategic Communications Department of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that on November 3, Russian forces launched an "Iskander-M" missile at the personnel of the 128th Separate Mountain Assault Brigade in the Zaporizhia region, resulting in casualties among military personnel, with some wounded.
Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov assured that "all circumstances of what happened will be clarified." He ordered a "full investigation into the facts of this tragedy."
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy added that a criminal investigation had been initiated regarding the tragedy, and "all circumstances of what happened, who exactly, and what orders were given" would be determined.
A three-day mourning period for the soldiers of the 128th Brigade has been declared in Zakarpattia.