President Zelenskyy claims 41 killed and 180 injured in two Russian ballistic missile attacks
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Tuesday that two Russian ballistic missiles hit an educational facility and a nearby hospital in central Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of at least 41 people and injuring around 180 others, according to news agency Associated Press.
Russia launched new attacks on Ukraine’s Poltava region, marking one of the deadliest assaults since the conflict with Kyiv began 900 days ago on February 24, 2022.
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‘Numerous people were found trapped under debris’
“One of the buildings of the Institute of Communications was partially destroyed. People found themselves under the rubble. Many were saved,” AP quoted Zelenskyy as saying on his Telegram channel.
“All necessary services are involved in the rescue operation,” the Ukrainian President said. Zelenskyy also ordered a comprehensive and swift investigation into the incident, though he did not provide further details at the time.
Officials reported that the strike took place in Poltava City, the administrative center of the region with the same name. Poltava is situated approximately 110 kilometers (70 miles) from the Russian border and around 350 kilometers (200 miles) to the southeast of Kyiv.
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Ukraine’s Defense Ministry called missile strike “barbaric”
Ukraine’s Defense Ministry called the missile strike “barbaric,” stating that it occurred right after the air raid alert was announced, while many people were heading towards a bomb shelter.
Rescue teams and medical personnel successfully rescued 25 individuals, with 11 of them being pulled from the debris, according to a statement from the Defense Ministry.
