Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday confirmed that at least 41 people were killed and over 180 were injured when two Russian ballistic missiles struck the central Ukrainian city of Poltava. The death toll later rose to 49, with 219 wounded, news agency AFP reported citing officials. The missiles hit a military educational facility, causing significant destruction.
Zelenskyy said, "More than 180 people were injured. Unfortunately, there are many dead. As of now, 41 people have been reported dead".
Russia-Ukraine: Zelenskyy Makes Stresses Need For 'Long-Range Strikes' In Fresh Plea
The Ukrainian President has demanded a swift investigation into the attack's circumstances and reiterated his call for increased air defence equipment from Ukraine's Western allies. He remarked on the Telegram messaging app, "The Russian scum will definitely be held accountable for this strike."
He emphasised, "We keep telling everyone in the world who has the power to stop this terror: air defence systems and missiles are needed in Ukraine, not in a warehouse somewhere."
Zelenskyy also urged for long-range weapons to be allowed for strikes deeper into Russian territory, asserting that delays in support cost lives, "Long-range strikes that can protect us from Russian terror are needed now, not some time later. Unfortunately, every day of delay means loss of life."
The missiles targeted a hospital and an educational institution, with one of the buildings at the institute partially destroyed, news agency AFP reported. Ukraine's defence ministry highlighted the short interval between the air raid warning and the missile impact, which caught many in the midst of evacuating to bomb shelters.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with 25 people saved so far, including 11 who were trapped under the rubble. The strike has been described as one of the deadliest single incidents of the conflict. Russian military bloggers suggested the attack was aimed at an outdoor ceremony, as per AFP.
Ukrainian MP Maria Bezugla, known for her critical stance on the military leadership, blamed high-ranking officials for endangering soldiers by allowing such events. She posted on Telegram, "These tragedies keep repeating themselves. When will it stop?"
3 Dead In Separate Russian Attacks On Railway Infrastructure & Energy Facility
In related news, at least three people have died in separate Russian attacks on Ukraine. An eight-year-old boy and a woman were killed in the Zaporizhzhia region, while a third person died in a missile attack on the central city of Dnipro. The attacks also targeted railway infrastructure in two regions and an energy facility in Chernihiv.
The interior ministry reported that a hotel complex in Zaporizhzhia was struck, killing a woman and her son, and injuring her husband and teenage daughter, who is in intensive care, news agency Reuters reported. Anna Savchenko, an employee at a nearby gas station, recounted, "We did not have time to hide anywhere. We heard a very powerful explosion and people screaming."
The previous day saw 313 attacks on 11 settlements, with significant damage reported in Zaporizhzhia. Ukrainian forces claimed to have downed 27 out of 35 drones during Russia's overnight assault, which also involved four missiles.