What we know about the Russian strike that left at least 51 dead and 271 injured in Poltava

Two ballistic missiles launched by Russia hit a military educational institution and a hospital, with kyiv’s supporters condemning a “sickening act of aggression.”

It is one of the deadliest Russian strikes since the beginning of its invasion of Ukraine. At least 51 people were killed and at least 271 injured in a missile strike launched by Russia on the city of Poltava, in central Ukraine, according to a latest provisional report communicated early Tuesday evening, September 3. Here is what we know about this strike.

Two ballistic missiles launched on “an educational establishment and a hospital”

The attack took place in the morning on Poltava, a city located about 300 kilometers east of kyiv and which had about 300,000 inhabitants before the Russian invasion. Russia used two ballistic missiles and aimed “an educational institution and a nearby hospital”according to statements by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “One of the buildings of the Institute of Communications”an institution founded in the 1960s that trains military telecommunications specialists, “was partially destroyed”adds the head of state.

According to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, the strike took place within a very short time after the air defense alert was triggered. The missiles “surprised people evacuating to the underground shelter”Images posted on social media showed a multi-storey building gutted and rescuers working amid rubble.

At least 51 dead, 271 injured, and victims trapped under the rubble

In his daily online address early in the evening, Volodymyr Zelensky said that the latest information was that 51 people were dead and 271 were injured, and that the search for survivors was continuing in the rubble. Regional Governor Filip Pronin said earlier in the day that “Up to 18 people could be under the rubble”.

“Thanks to the coordinated work of rescuers and doctors, 25 people were rescued, eleven of whom were able to be freed from the rubble. Rescuers are currently continuing their work.”the ministry added.

kyiv’s allies condemn strike, Ukrainian bloggers criticize military

The bombing was condemned by US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, who said it was “a terrible reminder” of the “brutality” of President Putin. This is a “sickening act of aggression in the heinous and illegal war waged by [Vladimir] Putin in Ukraine”British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said on X. “Putin’s brutality knows no bounds”said her German counterpart Annalena Baerbock on the same social network.

In Ukraine, the strike has sparked anger among Ukrainian military bloggers, who, like in Russia, have some influence due to the war. According to some of them, the Russian army was aiming for an official military ceremony in the open air, meaning a large concentration of soldiers made them an easy target. The Defense Ministry, for its part, assured that no open-air ceremony was taking place at the time of the tragedy.

The Ukrainian president said he had ordered “a complete and rapid investigation” on the circumstances that allowed this Russian attack. He also promised to hold Russia “for responsible”and once again called on kyiv’s Western allies to urgently deliver more air defense systems. Volodymyr Zelensky also demanded to be able to reach deep into Russian territory with the long-range missiles that have been supplied to him, something that several Western countries refuse for fear of escalation.