Ukraine Hits Suspected Russian Army HQ in Apparent SCALP Strike
Ukrainian forces struck the main and reserve Russian command posts in occupied Donetsk with air-launched missiles. OSINT analysts identified one target as a suspected headquarters of Russia’s 51st Combined Arms Army. Russian-installed officials said eight civilians were wounded, while reports that Lt. Gen. Sergei Milchakov was killed and that Ukraine used the new JDAM-LR have not been confirmed.
Ukraine's armed forces targeted two Russian command posts in Donetsk, likely attempting a strategic decapitation strike. The Ukrainian General Staff confirmed the destruction of the main and reserve command posts within the occupied Donetsk region but did not disclose the specific weapons used. Images of debris suggested the presence of French-made SCALP cruise missiles, while a Ukrainian defense publication claimed that a second target may have been hit with a newly developed US-made JDAM-LR precision weapon.
Reports indicate between six and 13 heavy explosions were heard late Wednesday and early Thursday in Donetsk, without prior air raid warnings. Local residents claimed between eight to 13 civilians were injured, including two young girls. Russian-installed leader Denis Pushilin stated that Ukrainian aircraft struck an industrial section of the city with several SCALP/Storm Shadow missiles, claiming eight civilians were wounded.
However, the Ukrainian OSINT group CyberBoroshno reported that six missiles penetrated the reinforced-concrete parking garage, where they detonated, causing significant damage. Some Ukrainian platforms suggest that FP-5 Flamingo missiles were used instead of European cruise missiles, which are better suited for penetrating hardened underground targets.
Ukrainian military sources confirmed the strikes against the 51st Combined Arms Army, one of the principal Russian formations involved in Moscow's offensive in Donetsk Oblast. No official confirmation of the commander of the 51st Combined Arms Army being killed or wounded has been released.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
