The Ukrainian Land Forces commander resigned after the Russian attack that killed 12 soldiers on the training polygon

The commander of the Ukrainian ground forces, Mihailo Drapatî, announced on Sunday that he had resigned, following a Russian attack that killed 12 soldiers under his command, reports Kyiv Independent.

“I made the decision to resign from the position of commander of the ground forces of the Ukrainian armed forces,” said Major General Mihailo Drapatî, in a public statement on Telegram.

Drapatî said he feels personally responsible for the tragedy and acknowledged that he failed to apply his orders with sufficient strictness to prevent the loss of human lives.

“Twelve dead. They are young in the training battalion. Most of them were in shelters. They should have learned, live and fight – not die,” he said.

Drapatî added that an investigation is underway to examine the circumstances of the tragedy, including the state of shelters and the efficiency of the warning systems.

“We will not win this war unless we build an army in which honor is not a word, but a deed. Where the responsibility is not a punishment, but a basis of confidence. Where each commander responds daily – for the order, for the decision, for man,” concluded the general.

The Russian rocket attack took place on Sunday on the training ground 239, north of the city of Dnipro. At least 12 Ukrainian soldiers were killed, and over 60 were injured, Ukrainian ground forces announced.