Russian strike claims 19 lives in attack on Ukraine military awards ceremony

Ukrainian emergency workers examine the site of a Russian rocket attack in central Odesa, Ukraine (AP)

Ukraine confirmed that 19 service members were killed by a Russian missile strike in Zaporizhzhia during a military awards ceremony in what President Volodymyr Zelensky lamented was a “tragedy that could have been avoided”.

Defence minister Rustem Umerov has ordered an investigation into why the 128th Separate Mountain-Assault Brigade of Zakarpattia participated in the crowded event on Friday honouring troops for Rocket Forces and Artillery Day so close to front lines.