In the deadliest single attack on Ukraine this year, at least 51 people were killed and 271 wounded in Poltava when Russian forces launched a ballistic missile strike on a military institute in the central town of Poltava.
The attack has drawn widespread condemnation, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy vowing that those responsible would be held accountable.
The strike occurred on Tuesday morning, targeting the Military Institute of Communications in Poltava, a town located approximately 300 km southeast of Kyiv and 120 km from the nearest Russian border. The missiles caused significant damage to the institute’s buildings, leaving many trapped under the rubble. Rescue operations are ongoing, with authorities warning that the death toll may rise as efforts continue to locate survivors.
Images shared on social media depicted a grim scene, with bodies of young men lying amid debris and dust, the remains of a once-structured building now reduced to ruins. These photographs, though not independently verified, have sparked outrage and sorrow across Ukraine.
President Zelenskiy, in his nightly address, confirmed the death toll had risen to 51 and expressed deep sorrow over the incident. “It is known that there are people under the rubble of the destroyed building,” Zelenskiy stated, adding that “everything is being done to save as many lives as possible.”
The strike has been particularly devastating due to the nature of the missiles used. Ballistic missiles, capable of hitting targets hundreds of kilometres away within minutes, gave the victims little time to seek cover once the air raid sirens sounded. The attack has prompted the Ukrainian Land Forces Command to launch an investigation into whether adequate measures were in place to protect the personnel at the facility.
A Nation in Mourning
As rescue operations continue, the emotional toll on the Ukrainian people is palpable. First Lady Olena Zelenska described the incident as a “stunning tragedy” and condemned the attack on what she referred to as both an educational institution and a hospital. The strike has not only claimed the lives of military personnel but has also deeply affected the wider community, with some Ukrainians desperately seeking news of their loved ones through social media.
The emergency services have reported that 25 people were rescued from the site, including 11 who were pulled from the rubble. However, the fate of others remains uncertain as rescuers work tirelessly in the hope of finding more survivors.
Calls for Western Support
In the wake of the Poltava attack, President Zelenskiy reiterated his calls for increased Western military support, particularly air defence systems and long-range weapons. He urged Ukraine’s allies to provide the necessary equipment to protect the country from further Russian missile strikes, arguing that delays in delivering such support result in more loss of life.
“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,” Zelenskiy said. “Long-range strikes that can protect us from Russian terror are needed now, not some time later.”
The Ukrainian government has long argued that more advanced Western weaponry is crucial for defending against the superior firepower of Russian forces. The latest attack in Poltava underscores the urgent need for such defences, as Ukraine continues to grapple with the devastating consequences of an unrelenting conflict.
Image source: Red Cross Ukraine
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