Ukrainian farmer injured after Russian missile hits tractor
The tractor and drill after the Russian missile strike © Kharkiv Police A young Ukrainian tractor driver is believed to have cheated death after a Russian missile landed on his vehicle while he was working the land.
The unnamed worker suffered serious leg injuries after his tractor was struck by a missile fired from a Russian plane during the spring sowing campaign.
The incident happened at about 10.45am on Wednesday 11 May near the village of Novyi Merchyk, Valky District, north-east Ukraine.
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“In Kharkiv region, a tractor working in the field was directly hit with a missile strike launched from the Russian aircraft,” said Sergey Bolvinov, head of the investigative department of Kharkiv National Police, in a post on the Ukrinform Facebook page.
“The 26-year-old tractor driver received numerous burns and leg injuries and was taken to hospital.”
The burned out remains of the tractor after the missile strike © Kharkiv Police
War crime probe
A Ukraine police investigation taskforce carried out a full investigation at the scene.
Criminal proceedings were opened according to Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation of the laws and customs of war).
Ukrainian farmers have been held up as symbols of defiance against Russian aggression by risking their lives while continuing to work as their country remains under attack from Vladimir Putin’s forces.