An official said that the Ukrainian strike hit the headquarters of the Wagner Group in the Lugansk region

A senior official in eastern Ukraine said Sunday that Ukrainian forces attacked a hotel where members of Russia’s private military group Wagner were stationed, killing several of them.

Reuters could not verify the authenticity of the account in a television interview conducted by Serhiy Gaidai, governor of the Luhansk region occupied by Russia.

Gaidai said in an interview with Ukrainian television that the forces launched an attack on a hotel in the town of Kadyevka, west of Luhansk, the main center of the region, on Saturday. Pictures posted on Telegram channels showed a building largely reduced to rubble.

“They did some pop there, that’s exactly where Wagner’s headquarters are. Many of those who were there died.”

The Russian Defense Ministry could not be reached for comment.

Gedi did not say the number of casualties, but said the survivors faced insufficient medical services to treat them.

“I am sure that at least 50% of those who manage to survive will die before they receive medical attention,” he said. “Because even in our region in Luhansk they stole the equipment. »

Some Ukrainian media quoted local officials as saying the hotel had been closed for some time.

The Wagner Group is a private military contractor with close ties to the Kremlin. Its forces are known to be fighting in parts of Ukraine, and have also been deployed to a number of African countries.

Gaidai had previously reported strikes by Ukrainian forces on other targets in the Luhansk region, including Wagner’s headquarters in the town of Popasna in August.