Unidentified explosive device kills 6, wounds 2 paratroopers at range in Pskov region
MOSCOW. Oct 22 (Interfax-AVN) - The detonation of an unidentified explosive device killed six paratroopers and wounded two during firing practice at a range near Strugi Krasniye in the Pskov region on Tuesday, the Russian Defense Ministry told Interfax-AVN.
"An unidentified explosive device went off while Airborne Forces servicemen were returning in absolute darkness from the final line during qualifications at Range 714 near the populated area of Strugi Krasniye in the Pskov region on October 22. The explosion killed six Airborne Forces servicemen, and two other servicemen sustained injuries. They have been transported to the nearest medical institution," it said.
The fatalities include five cadets from the Ryazan Airborne Forces College and a contract serviceman from the Pskov Airborne Forces Division.
"Airborne Forces Commander Col. Gen. Vladimir Shamanov and Defense Ministry Combat Training Department Chief Lt. Gen. Ivan Buvaltsev have rushed to the scene of the incident to find out its causes," it said.
"At Defense Minister Army Gen. Sergei Shoigu's decision, the families of the servicemen who have been killed and injured will be provided with all the necessary assistance," it said.
A local law enforcement source told Interfax the servicemen had been killed by an artillery round explosion. The details of the incident are being explored now.
