By Euronews with AP
The Ukrainian leader said he ordered an investigation into the attack and reiterated Kyiv’s demands for help from its allies.
Two Russian missiles struck an educational institution and a hospital in the central Ukrainian city of Poltava, killing 41 and injuring more than 180, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday, citing preliminary reports.
“Unfortunately, there are many casualties … My deepest condolences to all of their relatives and loved ones,” he said on X.
The Ukrainian leader said he ordered an investigation into the strike and reiterated Kyiv’s demands for help from its allies.
We continue to urge everyone in the world who has the power to stop this terror: Ukraine needs air defence systems and missiles now, not sitting in storage.”
“Long-range strikes that can protect us from Russian terror are needed now, not later. Every day of delay, unfortunately, means more lost lives,” he emphasised.
Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia targeted
Prior to the strike in Poltava, several regions in Ukraine were hit by Russian strikes over Monday and Tuesday, which killed two in Zaporizhzhia on Tuesday morning and one in Dnipro on Monday night.
In Zaporizhzhia, regional premier Ivan Fedorov said a woman and an 8-year-old boy were killed by an air strike that hit a hotel.
Fedorov also said a 12-year-old girl is in intensive care as a result of the strike having suffered a fractured limb and severe burns.
Explosions in Dnipro late on Monday night killed a 51-year-old and injured six others, one of whom remains in hospital, according to the head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Administration, Serhiy Lysak.
Lysak posted on Telegram that three cars were completely burned as a result of the strike, with 12 more damaged, while several private houses and a kindergarten were also affected.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that the strikes indicated ballistic missile use.
In Kyiv, residents worked to restore damage after a Russian attack on the capital that coincided with Ukrainian children returning to school.
Russia launched 35 missiles and 23 Shahed drones on Kyiv from Sunday to Monday, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.
Debris was found in eight locations throughout the city, with civilian facilities including a school, subway station and a bakery damaged.
Oksana Argunova, an 18-year-old student, said she was still shaking after the attack after air raid sirens forced residents into bomb shelters.
“I woke up, my neighbour was shouting ‘Let’s go down (to the shelter), there are big explosions.’ We all ran,” she said.
Monday was the first day back at school after the summer vacation. In Ukraine, the day involves ceremonies and rituals, with students and often teachers wearing traditional costumes.
In Russia, air defences intercepted 158 Ukrainian drones overnight, including two over Moscow and nine over the surrounding region, according to the Defence Ministry. Euronews could not independently verify these claims.
Source: euronews.com