KEY POINTS

  • A goat triggered grenades installed by Russian military at a Ukrainian hospital
  • The animal started a chain reaction, wounding several Russian soldiers
  • It was unclear if the goat survived the incident

A goat in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region accidentally injured invading Russian forces, according to Ukrainian authorities.

The female animal triggered tripwires with pinned grenades installed by the Russian military at a hospital in the village of Kinski Rozdory, Pravda reported, citing Ukraine's Chief Directorate of Intelligence.

As the goat moved around the area, it accidentally "disposed of" several grenades and started a chain reaction, wounding several Russian soldiers to varying degrees.

It was unclear if the goat survived the incident. A total of 40 Russian servicemen were stationed at the hospital.

Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24 to "denazify" its western neighbor. The country has suffered 34,100 combat losses among its personnel between the start of the invasion and Tuesday, Ukraine's Ministry of Defense said in its most recent casualty report.

It has also lost 1,496 tanks, 3,606 armored fighting vehicles, 216 aircraft and 181 helicopters, according to the ministry.

Russia focused its military campaign on eastern Ukraine following a failed attempt to capture the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.

While the offensive has yielded more territory for Russia, neither it nor Ukraine will likely gain full control of the eastern region, American officials said, as per The New York Times.

The conflict may end up becoming a protracted war, according to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

"We must prepare for the fact that it could take years. We must not let up in supporting Ukraine. Even if the costs are high, not only for military support, also because of rising energy and food prices," the alliance's head, Jens Stoltenberg, said.

While peace talks between Ukraine and Russia have stalled, the conflict between the two countries will likely end at the negotiating table.

"Wars are unpredictable. We were able to predict the invasion, but how this war will evolve, it’s very hard to predict. What we do know is that almost all wars end at some stage at the negotiating table," Stoltenberg said.

Ukraine is planning to resume peace talks with Russia by the end of August, according to Ukrainian officials.

In the meantime, the U.S. continues to provide Ukraine with military assistance. An additional $1 billion worth of military assistance to Ukraine was announced last week.

The U.S. has given Ukraine $5.6 billion in security assistance since the start of Russia’s invasion.

Since President Vladimir Putin ordered Russian troops into Ukraine, thousands of people have been killed, millions sent fleeing and towns turned into rubble
Since President Vladimir Putin ordered Russian troops into Ukraine, thousands of people have been killed, millions sent fleeing and towns turned into rubble AFP / Sergei SUPINSKY