Wed Jul 30 10:09:02 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article based on the provided text, focusing on the key events and potential implications, written from a neutral perspective and suitable for a global audience:
**Headline: Russian Strike Kills Ukrainian Soldiers Amid Manpower Crisis; US Issues Ultimatum**
**Kyiv, Ukraine – July 30, 2025** – A Russian missile strike on a Ukrainian army training ground in the Chernihiv region has reportedly killed three soldiers and wounded 18, according to Ukrainian authorities. The attack, which occurred on Tuesday, is the latest setback for Ukrainian military officials grappling with a severe manpower shortage in the ongoing war, now in its third year.
The Russian Defence Ministry presented a different account, claiming the strike resulted in approximately 200 Ukrainian casualties. They stated that the training center near Honcharivske was targeted with two Iskander missiles, one armed with submunitions and the other with high explosives. Video released by the Ministry appeared to show the impact of the strike.
Adding to the pressure on Ukraine, Russia continues its aerial campaign, launching 78 attack drones overnight, including new jet-powered drones. These attacks have reportedly wounded at least five civilians. The UN mission in Ukraine has documented a concerning rise in civilian casualties this year, reporting 6,754 killed or injured in the first half of 2025, a 54% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has issued an ultimatum to Russian President Vladimir Putin, setting an August 8 deadline for progress in peace efforts. Failure to achieve this will result in the imposition of punitive sanctions and tariffs, according to Trump. Western leaders have accused Putin of stalling peace negotiations to seize more territory.
Ukrainian forces are struggling to hold the line against Russia’s larger army. In response to the ongoing manpower shortage, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a bill allowing men over 60 to voluntarily enlist in the armed forces and the Defence Ministry offering new financial and other benefits that it hopes will attract men between the ages of 18 and 24 to military service.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the attack on the Chernihiv training ground to determine if negligence or misconduct contributed to the casualties. This latest incident marks the fourth deadly strike on Ukrainian military facilities in five months, raising serious questions about the country’s defensive capabilities and resource management.
The situation remains tense, with both sides entrenched in a conflict that has already claimed the lives of over 13,580 Ukrainian civilians since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022. The coming weeks will be critical as the US deadline looms and the international community watches closely.
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