on September 6 Ukraine was subjected to one of the deadliest attacks in months. At noon, a bullet hit the streets surrounding the market. Konstantinovka, a town located in the east of the country. At least 15 people died and 30 people were injured. Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, He accused “Russian terrorists” of bombing a civilian area.
But the massacre may have been a “tragic” mistake Kyiv. A new investigation published by ‘The New York Times’ on Monday stated that “the devastating attack was the result of an errant Ukrainian air defense missile fired by the Buk launch system.” Experts consulted by the newspaper point out that the bullet that destroyed the market “could have deviated from its trajectory for various reasons, such as electronic malfunction or a damaged or cut guide fin during launch.”
At first, Zelensky’s statements were well received. located in the region DonetskKonstantinovka is located only 26 kilometers from Konstantinovka. bahmutA city that Ukrainian and Russian troops have been fighting for for weeks. Proximity to the eastern front war makes it more vulnerable to attack. Moreover, Russia It also carried out other attacks against civilians. Even so, Kremlin He rejected the Ukrainian leader’s accusations.
The attack did not come from Russian lines
Now, the NYT investigation is now shedding a little more light on what might have happened and pointing the finger at Kiev. “The possible failure of the missile occurred in the midst of the usual back-and-forth combat in the environment,” they explain. American media reported that “Ukrainian authorities initially tried to prevent journalists from accessing the missile debris and impact site immediately after the attack.” Finally, journalists came to the scene and collected the remains of the body. weapon used.
Analysis of security camera footage showed that the missile “entered Kostiantynivka from Ukrainian territory, not from behind Russian lines.” In other words, the fire would have been fired from the northwest. A few minutes before the attack, army Ukraine launched two surface-to-air missiles from the city of Druzhkivka, 16 km northwest, where NYT journalists were located.
Residents and even soldiers confirmed to journalists that they saw air defense missiles heading towards enemy lines. “The time of these launches coincides with the missile hitting the Kostiantynivka market at around 14:04,” the investigation explains.
anti-aircraft missile
After examining the parts found at the scene, the report also revealed that the weapon used was a 9M38 missile fired from a Buk mobile anti-aircraft vehicle. Both Ukraine and Russia use this system. Ukrainian officials assured that the attack on the market was carried out by the S-300 missile, but this version does not coincide with the journalistic investigation of the NYT.
A spokesman for the Ukrainian armed forces told the American newspaper that the security service was investigating the incident but could not comment further because national law prohibits giving further details.