At least 51 people were killed and hundreds more wounded on Tuesday in a Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Poltava, marking one of the deadliest bombardments in the ongoing war. Ukrainian authorities reported that the attack targeted a military training facility and a nearby hospital, though the exact number of military versus civilian casualties has not been clarified.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the assault, calling it an act by “Russian scum” and vowed to hold those responsible accountable. Rescue operations are underway as emergency teams work to clear the rubble and search for survivors.
Zelensky reported in his evening address that 51 people had died and 271 were injured, with more believed to be trapped under the debris. Two Russian ballistic missiles hit the target areas, causing significant damage.
The attack drew widespread condemnation from the international community. US President Joe Biden condemned the strike as “deplorable” and promised continued military support to Ukraine, including air defense systems. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also condemned the aggression, with Baerbock criticizing the brutality of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The strike has sparked outrage on Ukrainian social media, with unconfirmed reports suggesting it may have targeted an outdoor military ceremony. Ukrainian MP Maria Bezugla accused high-ranking officials of endangering lives through negligence.
The attack coincides with a significant government reshuffle in Ukraine, as several top officials, including the Ministers for Strategic Industries, Justice, and Environmental Protection, submitted their resignations. This follows recent scandals, including the crash of a US-made F-16 fighter jet, which led to the dismissal of Ukraine’s air force chief.
Poltava’s governor, Philip Pronin, stated that further details about the attack could not be released for security reasons.
