POLTAVA, Ukraine (AFP)— In one of the deadliest attacks since the onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a Russian missile strike claimed at least 51 lives and left hundreds injured in the city of Poltava on Tuesday. The assault targeted a military training facility and a nearby hospital, according to Ukrainian authorities, causing widespread devastation and triggering international condemnation.
The missile strike, which occurred on the morning of September 3, 2024, hit the Poltava Military Communications Institute and a hospital situated close by. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a somber evening address, confirmed the death toll and expressed his determination to hold the perpetrators accountable.
“According to the information available now, this Russian strike killed 51 people,” said Zelensky. “The number of injured is 271. We know that there are people under the rubble of the destroyed building. Everything is being done to save as many lives as possible.”
Medical workers, psychologists, and first responders are currently providing assistance to local residents and victims. Rescue operations continue amidst the rubble, with 25 people, including 11 trapped beneath the wreckage, successfully retrieved by rescuers.
International Reactions
The attack has drawn swift and sharp rebukes from leaders worldwide. Berlin, London, and Washington condemned the assault, labeling it an act of barbarity. US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby described the strike as “another horrific reminder of [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s brutality” and announced plans to send additional military aid to Kyiv. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy remarked that it was a “sickening act of aggression,” and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stated that Putin’s brutality “knows no limits”.
The Scene of the Attack
The missile strike has left Poltava, a city with a pre-war population of around 300,000, in shock and mourning. Witnesses described the suddenness and chaos of the attack. “The window blew open. Dust was everywhere. I just had time to tell my sister that a rocket was flying,” recounted Yevgeniya Chyrva, a local resident.
The Poltava Military Communications Institute, established in the 1960s during Ukraine’s membership in the USSR, was partially destroyed in the strike. The institute is known for specializing in training telecommunications specialists.
The defence ministry explained that the window of time between the missile alarm and the strike was so brief that it caught many people in the middle of evacuating to bomb shelters.
Controversy and Outcry
The attack has ignited anger on Ukrainian social media, following unconfirmed reports that the military training facility was hosting an outdoor ceremony at the time of the strike. Many criticized officials for allowing such an event to take place amid the perpetual threat of Russian attacks. President Zelensky has called for a “full and prompt investigation into all the circumstances” surrounding the incident.
Rescue operations are in full swing as ambulances continue to head towards the affected site. The defensive ministry affirmed that the rescue efforts were still ongoing, emphasizing their commitment to saving as many lives as possible.
Conclusion
As Ukraine reels from this devastating strike, the global community watches closely, unified in condemnation and support. The Poltava attack serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing hostilities and the human toll of the relentless conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
