Officials: Russian cellphones led to Ukrainian attack

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The rubble of a building after a drone strike on Russian-controlled territory in Ukraine Associated Press

Officials: Russian cellphones led to Ukrainian attack

The Russian military has claimed that cellphone use among its soldiers helped Ukrainian forces locate the troops and launch a deadly attack. A Ukrainian missile strike on Sunday killed at least 89 Russian soldiers who were temporarily stationed in a building near the front line of the war in the eastern Donetsk region. Russian soldiers are forbidden from using cellphones while on active duty because Ukraine has used intercepted calls to pinpoint troop locations.

Why is this strike significant? It was one of the deadliest single attacks on Moscow’s forces since the beginning of the war. While the Kremlin acknowledged at least 89 deaths, Ukraine estimated the toll might be significantly higher. Hundreds of troops are thought to have been housed in the building.

Dig deeper: Read Todd Vician’s report in WORLD Magazine on Russia’s nuclear capabilities.

Lauren Canterberry

Lauren Canterberry is a reporter for WORLD. She graduated from the World Journalism Institute and the University of Georgia with a degree in journalism, both in 2017. She worked as a local reporter in Texas and now lives in Georgia with her husband.