Russian ballistic missiles struck a Ukrainian military institute in the city of Poltava and a nearby hospital, killing at least 41 people and injuring more than 180 others, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday.
Two ballistic missiles struck the area, the Ukrainian leader said, vowing that Russia would suffer consequences for the deadly attack.
I received preliminary reports on the Russian strike in Poltava. According to available information, two ballistic missiles hit the area. They targeted an educational institution and a nearby hospital, partially destroying one of the telecommunications institute’s buildings.… pic.twitter.com/TNppPr1OwF
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) September 3, 2024
“People were trapped under the rubble. Many people were rescued, but more than 180 were injured. Unfortunately, there are many casualties. As of now, we know that 41 people were killed. My deepest condolences to all of their relatives and loved ones,” Zelensky said in a statement posted to social media.
“The time interval between the alarm and the arrival of the deadly missiles was so short that it caught people during an evacuation to the bomb shelter,” Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said.
The Context
The attack marks one of the deadliest single strikes conducted by Russia since the war began in February 2022.
It comes just over a week after a Russian missile and drone barrage on Ukraine killed at least five people and ravaged the country’s energy infrastructure. That assault involved more than 100 missiles and 100 drones, and was described by Ukrainian officials as one of the largest launched by Russia since its full-scale invasion began.
What We Know
According to Ukrainian news outlet Suspilne, there were two explosions at about 9:10 a.m. on Tuesday.
One missile struck the city’s Zenkovskaya Street, where the 179th Signal Corps Training Center and the Poltava Military Institute of Communications are located, Russian Telegram channels reported.
Russian officials haven’t commented on the attack. Newsweek has contacted Russia’s Defense Ministry for comment by email.
“We express our sincere condolences to the families of the victims,” Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said. “This tragedy is yet another proof of the enemy’s treachery, which does not stop at any crimes, trying to intimidate Ukrainians. We call on everyone to remain calm and trust only official sources of information.”
The defense ministry said 25 people had been rescued so far.
Views
Filip Pronin, the head of the Poltava regional military administration, said the attack marked “a terrible day for Poltava region.”
“Many Poltava residents are donating blood to help the wounded. Today, we have everything necessary for a blood transfusion. You can become a donor any day during the week. Sincere condolences to all the families who lost their loved ones today,” Pronin wrote on his Telegram channel.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky gestures as he speaks during a joint press conference in Kyiv, on August 27, 2024. Russian ballistic missiles struck a Ukrainian military academy in the city of Poltava and a nearby hospital, killing at least 41 people killed and injuring more than 180 others, Zelensky said on Tuesday.
SERGEI CHUZAVKOV/AFP/Getty Images
What’s Next?
Zelensky said that he had ordered a “full and prompt” investigation “into all of the circumstances of what happened.”
“I am grateful to everyone who has been helping and saving lives from the very first moments following the strike,” he said. “The Russian scum will surely pay for this strike.”
Three days of mourning were announced in Poltava from Wednesday.
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