A Russian missile attack has resulted in the deaths of 41 people and injuries to 180 others, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The strike took place in Poltava, the capital of the Poltava region, located about 350 kilometers southeast of Kyiv. Poltava sits on the main highway and rail line connecting Kyiv to Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city near the Russian border. This attack is one of the deadliest by Russian forces since the conflict began on February 24, 2022, over 900 days ago.
Zelenskyy stated in a video posted on his Telegram channel on Tuesday that one of the buildings at the Poltava Military Institute of Communications was partially destroyed, trapping people under the debris. Many were rescued, he said, adding that all necessary services were involved in the rescue operation. He also ordered a thorough and swift investigation into the incident but did not provide additional details.
According to Ukraine’s Defence Ministry, the missiles struck shortly after an air raid alert was issued, when many people were heading to a bomb shelter. The ministry condemned the attack as “barbaric.” Rescue teams and medical personnel managed to save 25 individuals, including 11 who were pulled from the rubble, the Defence Ministry reported.
Poltava Governor Filip Pronin declared three days of mourning beginning on Wednesday, stating that “the enemy must be held accountable for all crimes against humanity.”
The missile strike coincided with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Mongolia, where there were no indications that his hosts would consider arresting him on an international warrant for alleged war crimes.
Zelenskyy renewed his call for Ukraine’s Western allies to expedite the delivery of military aid. He has previously criticized the US and European nations for delays in fulfilling their promises of assistance. Additionally, Zelenskyy urged Western countries to ease restrictions on what Ukraine can target on Russian soil with the provided weapons, expressing concerns that striking Russia could escalate the conflict.
“Ukraine needs air defense systems and missiles now, not sitting in storage,” Zelenskyy wrote in English on Telegram. He emphasized the urgent need for long-range strikes to protect Ukraine from Russian attacks, warning that every day of delay leads to more lost lives.
