At least 47 people have been killed in a Russian strike in a central region of Ukraine, according to the country’s first lady Olena Zelenska
She said in a post to X that 206 had also been wounded after two Russian ballistic missiles struck an educational facility and nearby hospital in the Poltava region.
“This is a stunning tragedy for all of Ukraine,” she wrote.
“It is already known about 47 dead and 206 wounded. Russia is taking away the most valuable thing from us – life. We will never forget this. Eternal memory.”
Earlier, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at least 41 people had been killed and 180 injured.
It is one of the deadliest attacks carried out by Russia since it invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
The Ukrainian president said on Telegram: “One of the buildings of the Institute of Communications was partially destroyed.
“People found themselves under the rubble. Many were saved.”
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He added “all necessary services are involved in the rescue operation” and ordered “a full and prompt investigation” into the strike.
Zelenksyy did not provide any further details, but continued to say that “the Russian scum will definitely be held accountable for this strike” before repeating calls for more weapons from the West.
“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,” he said.
“Long-range strikes that can protect us from Russian terror are needed now, not some time later. Unfortunately, every day of delay means loss of life.”
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Calling the strike “barbaric,” Ukraine’s defence ministry said the Russian missiles hit shortly after the air raid alert sounded as many people were on their way to a bomb shelter.
They added in a statement that rescue crews and medics saved 25 people, with 11 of those dug out from under rubble.
Strike shows Putin’s priority is on Ukraine, not incursion into Russia
It is not a great surprise that Russia is responding to the Kursk incursion by putting as many missiles it can into Ukrainian territory, not all of those appear to be against military targets.
All of this coincides with the start of the school terms in Ukraine.
Despite the fact Ukrainians have been pushing into Kursk, despite the fact they have been launching a lot of long-range missiles into Russia, it is pretty clear where President Putin’s priority is at the moment.
That is the ‘special military operation’ and seizing the area of the Donbas that he does not yet have.
While the identities of the victims were not immediately disclosed, prominent Ukrainian Telegram blogger Serhiy Beskrestnov posted a tribute to “my signals operator comrades”.
It comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Mongolia, despite the country being a member of the International Criminal Court.
A warrant was issued by the group for Putin’s arrest for the alleged illegal deportation of children and alleged war crimes, but there was no indication the country would do so despite Ukraine’s demands.
