Putin suffers one of the worst blows of the Ukraine war: 65 Russians are killed by a US missile while 'queuing for a parade'
Putin has been dealt a devastating blow when a HIMARS missile wiped out 65 Russian soldiers after he boasted of the “absolute success” of his military operation.
Harrowing images show bodies lying on a military training ground in the aftermath of the strike.
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In a humiliating setback, the soldiers and officers were killed en masse as they lined up for an impromptu inspection by the leading war commander, Major General Oleg Moiseev, 49.
Ukraine clearly had information about the meeting with disciplinarian Moiseev, commander of the 29th Army of the Eastern Military District and a hero of pro-Putin propagandists.
According to Russian sources, the precise three-pronged attack of the HIMARS took place just before the major general reached the spot.
Putin suffered another setback today Ukraine claims to have shot down another Russian Su-34 fighter jet, according to Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk – the seventh enemy fighter in a week.
Russian military war bloggers have reacted angrily to the folly of Moiseev's inspection of the 4th, 5th and 6th companies of the 36th Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade in Trudivske, occupied Donetsk region.
The costly blunder came as Putin tried to bask in the glory of his troops' small advance in Avdiivka, following a tactical retreat by the Ukrainian army.
The dictator told his Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu: “As for the overall situation in Avdiivka, this is an absolute success.
“I congratulate you. It must be built on.”
Shoigu boasted: 'The operation for the liberation of Avdiivka will be included in textbooks and studied in all educational institutions of the region. [Russian] Department of Defense.”
In an attempt to impress, he also reportedly lied to Putin about the capture of another strategically important Ukrainian village of Krynki, in the Kherson region, which remains in Ukrainian hands.
“It is indeed true… Krynki has been acquitted [of Ukrainians]”, Shoigu said inaccurately to his boss.
The Russian Telegram channel Thirteenth reported: “How many more fantastic versions will be reported at the top [Putin]?
“This is not positive propaganda, this is an outright lie [by Shoigu].”
Yet there was no sign of “absolute success” and “textbook warfare” in the carnage the Russians suffered at Trudivske.
One angry comment read: “One can only be surprised at the lack of knowledge about [commanders] in the second year of [the war].”
There was personal blame for Major General Moiseev, a commander with three orders of valor who was the subject of whiny propaganda. movie by Putin's favorite TV cheerleader Vladimir Soloviev.
One station said: “He set up this formation. He killed these men.”
War reporter Andrei Rudenko criticized commanders like Moiseev for deploying their troops close to the front line “to simply show how important you are.”
He sarcastically posted: “There is a very high chance you will receive a HIMARS MLRS missile in what is called your head.
“Therefore, take care of yourself and your subordinates!”
Many of the dead troops were from the TransBaikal region of Siberia.
Authorities there today tried to stop the spread of reports of the massacre among soldiers.
The military informant channel Telegram reported “a new tragedy” with the deaths of dozens of troops.
Prominent pro-Kremlin politician Vladimir Rogov lashed out at the “criminal practice” of parading soldiers in front of commanders in “missile-ridden terrain.”