Putin 'targets Nato weapons' in deadly strike on Ukraine base where foreign advisers work

13 March 2022, 10:32 | Updated: 13 March 2022, 11:16

Russia has struck an air base in western Ukraine
Russia has struck an air base in western Ukraine. Picture: Alamy

By Will Taylor

Vladimir Putin may have targeted weapon shipments from Nato to Ukraine by striking a military base near the border with Poland.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Foreign instructors were confirmed to have been at the air base but it was unclear if any had been hurt.

A total of 35 people were killed in the missile attack at Yaroviv, just 15 miles from the Nato frontier, while 134 were injured.

It comes after Vladimir Putin said Nato's supply of weapons to Ukraine were viable targets as Western missiles obliterate his force's tanks and armoured vehicles - though it is unclear whether materiel from the alliance was at the base at the time of the strike.

Speaking from Poland, LBC presenter Matt Frei, who has been reporting from the war, told Andrew Castle: "Yesterday Vladimir Putin said that those shipments from Nato in Ukraine are a fair target and overnight he was as good as his word and zapped them.

"This is not just pushing the war to the west of Ukraine, it is also getting very, perilously, close to the Nato border, the Polish border."

Read more: Monthly £350 'thank you' payments for Brits who house Ukrainian refugees

Read more: Defiant Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy put forward for knighthood

Matt Frei reports from dual carriageway to Lublin

Speaking about the possibility of people from Nato countries getting caught up in the attack, he said: "If any of them have been killed in this or injured then things get a little bit more serious.

"It doesn't mean automatically Nato gets involved in this, I'm not sure if Putin is just targeting the weapons… it's getting a little bit too close for comfort."

Read more: Russia 'pays high price for every advance' as Putin turns to Middle East mercenaries

Ukraine's defence minister Oleksii Reznikov said: "Russia has attacked the International Center for Peacekeeping & Security near Lviv. Foreign instructors work here. Information about the victims is being clarified."

Former Ukrainian PM calls for greater action from West

Western weapon supplies have been seen as crucial in helping to stall the Russian advance, with anti-tank and anti-air systems being used to great effect.

Kyiv has often put out footage showing armoured vehicles getting destroyed by soldiers armed with missile launchers, ambushing convoys which are forced to flee.

Despite suppling Kyiv with assistance, the US has put a plan to give Ukraine Mig 29 fighter jets from Poland on ice.

Warsaw had hoped to transfer them to American control for onward delivery to Ukraine, and announced it would do so before the US later said it would not happen.

The air base is close to the border with Poland, a Nato member
The air base is close to the border with Poland, a Nato member. Picture: Google Maps

Ukraine's cities are under siege throughout the country, with Russian forces dealing devastating destruction in their attacks.

This week saw them destroy a maternity hospital and a psychiatric care facility in strikes that shocked the world.

Its forces are moving to surround the capital, Kyiv, while Ukrainians mount a strong resistance against them.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Spanish authorities are pursuing murder as a line of enquiry after bodies were found around the Balearic Islands.

Spanish police reveal they may never identify five shackled bodies washed up on beach - as four arrested

The driver threw drinks up to passengers

Delivery rider hailed a hero for tossing drinks into stranded Thameslink train

Exclusive
Labour’s hold on Birmingham City Council is in doubt over the handling of bin strikes, unions have warned

Labour ‘set to lose control of Birmingham Council over bin strike,' union boss warns

James Whale has revealed he has just weeks left to live in a tragic update in his battle with terminal cancer.

Broadcaster James Whale reveals he has just weeks to live in heartbreaking cancer update

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House

'They don't know what the f**k they are doing': Everything Trump said in sweary rant

The Edge is one of the most recognisable faces in Irish rock... and is now Irish!

The Edge stuns U2 fans by becoming Irish citizen after 63 years

US President Donald Trump speaks to the press before boarding Marine One from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC

Donald Trump’s blistering F-word rant at Israel and Iran as he accuses both sides of violating ceasefire

A huge blaze has ripped through the Jaguar Land Rover manufacturing plant.

Serious fire at Jaguar Land Rover's car plant as 50 firefighters rush to scene

Giorgio Russo's famous sibling revealed as the bombshell enters the Love Island villa

Love Island 'bombshell' enters villa as famous footballing sibling revealed

Exclusive
Sir Mark Rowley addressed criticism of the Met Police on LBC's Nick Ferrari At Breakfast

Sir Mark Rowley apologises to broadcaster Selina Scott after daylight robbery, insisting petty crime down 18%

Exclusive
Colonel Philip Ingram warned LBC as protesters gathered near Downing Street over the weekend following the US airstrikes

American businesses in UK ‘at risk of Iranian terror’, as experts say regime will seek ‘package of revenge’ for airstrikes

Donald Trump and Iranian state television say a ceasefire in the war between Iran and Israel is now in place

Israel accuses Iran of violating ceasefire and vows to 'respond forcefully'

Exclusive
Sir Mark Rowley addressed Met Police criticism on Nick Ferrari at Breakfast.

Met chief brands Palestine Action an ‘organised criminal extremist group’ as he defends 'two-tier policing' claims

Seattle Sounders FC v Paris Saint-Germain FC.

PSG ease through to last 16 but Atletico Madrid bow out of Club World Cup

Confidence in the general economy over the coming year rose five points, driving the improvement.

Consumer confidence up in June amid ‘dark shadow’ of inflation and war in Middle East

.

Family of Scottish man found dead in Portugal have 'faith in humanity restored'