Russia kills dozens with air strike at Ukrainian base near Poland, reportedly arrests own spy chiefs

Russia launched a heavy volley of missiles Sunday on a military base in western Ukraine near the Polish border, killing 35 and injuring scores at a location often used by NATO trainers.

The airstrike on the International Peacekeeping and Security Center in Yavoriv was believed to be the western most attack launched by Russian forces in the three-week-old war, landing just 15 miles from the border with Poland.

Lviv governor Maksym Kozytskyi told The Associated Press many of the missiles fired Sunday “were shot down because the air defense system worked” but still at least 35 people were killed and 134 wounded. 

The attack came as Russian President Vladimir Putin warned he would use military action to stop western military aid to Ukraine, and as signs of a blame game surfaced in Moscow after a lackluster military performance by Russian troops.

Putin reportedly placed two of his top intelligence officials on house arrest as he sought accountability for a war plan that U.S. intelligence says has not succeeded as planned.

The Center for European Policy Analysis as well as several foreign newspapers reported that the top two officials of the FSB’s fifth service were placed under house arrest. The FSB is Russia’s main spy service and was once headed by Putin.

“Colonel-General Sergei Beseda, and his deputy were being held after allegations of misusing operational funds earmarked for subversive activities and for providing poor intelligence ahead of Russia’s now-stuttering invasion,” CEPA reported.

“The operation has hit serious obstacles, not least fierce, resistance by the Ukrainian armed forces and the unity of the population, including most Russian-speakers, behind President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his government,” it added.