The New York Times claims that the strike on the market in Kostyantynivka, Donetsk region, was a "tragic accident" caused by a Ukrainian Buk missile.
As a reminder, on September 6, a tragedy occurred that killed 15 people and injured 30. Ukraine claims that it was a Russian S-300 missile strike, but the NYT refutes this version.
The New York Times, based on its own investigation, claims that the cameras show a missile that flew into Kostyantynivka from Ukrainian-controlled territory. Explosives experts believe that the crater and damage are consistent with a missile fired from the northwest.
According to the NYT, a few minutes before the tragedy, the Ukrainian military fired two missiles from Druzhkivka, which is located northwest of Kostyantynivka. NYT reporters were in Druzhkivka and heard a rocket launch at 2:00 p.m., followed by a second launch (the impact in Kostyantynivka was around 2:04 p.m.). Residents of Druzhkivka also reported the rocket launch in a local public.
"Two witnesses who spoke to The Times said they saw rockets being fired from Druzhkivka toward the Russian front line around the time of the strike; one said he saw rockets flying toward Kostyantynivka. A Ukrainian soldier stationed in Druzhkivka, who wished to remain anonymous, also said he heard two rocket launches around the same time," the newspaper reports.
NYT journalists found the location from where, according to witnesses, the rockets were fired. They found trenches, garbage pits, and track marks. The burned grass is particularly characteristic, indicating the use of an anti-aircraft missile system. Traces of a Buk missile are also visible at the site of the explosion in Kostyantynivka.
"The size of the holes and fragments found at the scene correspond in size and shape to a specific weapon: a 9M38 missile launched by Buk," the publication writes.
"At such a short distance - less than 10 miles - the missile most likely landed with unspent fuel in the rocket engine that exploded or caught fire on impact, which provides a possible explanation for the burn marks on the missile," the article says.
UPDATED
Ukrayinska Pravda reports that the Strategic Communications Department of the Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief's Office stated that "in order to clarify the circumstances of the missile strike, the SBU opened criminal proceedings under Article 438 "Violation of the Laws and Customs of War" on September 6. An official investigation is currently underway. Until it is completed, it is prohibited by law to comment on any details of the incident and is inappropriate. This can and will be used by Russian propagandists."
