A deadly Russian missile strike has left 51 people dead and over 200 others injured in Ukraine’s central Poltava region, as reported by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The missile hit a military training facility and a nearby hospital, causing widespread destruction and chaos.
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry described the day as “terrible” for Poltava, highlighting the destruction caused to an educational institution by two Iskander-M ballistic missiles. The attack struck with such swiftness that many civilians were caught off guard, unable to reach bomb shelters in time.
Images circulating online depict the horrifying aftermath — bodies of military personnel scattered in the rubble, with some showing gruesome injuries. The attack has left many trapped under debris, though rescue efforts have saved 11 individuals so far. The fire, ignited by the strike, has since been contained.
President Zelenskyy has called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack, vowing to bring those responsible to justice. Rescue operations continue as the nation mourns the loss and prays for the recovery of the injured.
This attack comes just as Ukrainian children were preparing to start their third school year under the shadow of the ongoing Russian invasion, a grim reminder of the persistent threat they face daily.
