Ukrainian brigade says 19 killed in Russian missile strike last week

FILE PHOTO: A Ukrainian serviceman takes a selfie as he rides atop an armoured vehicle, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine November 4, 2023. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo

KYIV (Reuters) - A Ukrainian military brigade said on Monday 19 of its soldiers were killed last week in a Russian air strike that President Volodymyr Zelenskiy described as "a tragedy that could have been avoided".

Ukrainian media reported that the soldiers were killed during an awards ceremony on Friday in the frontline Zaporizhzhia region of southeastern Ukraine.