At least 41 dead and more than 180 injured in the Ukrainian city of Poltava in a Russian attack

At least 41 people have died and others 180 have been injured in a Russian attack with two ballistic missiles that hit an educational institution and a hospital in the city of Poltava, in central Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported on his social networks. It is one of the deadliest attacks by Russia since it began its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

“People were trapped under the rubble. Many were saved. More than 180 people were injured. Unfortunately, There are many dead“At this moment we know that there are at least 41 dead. My condolences to all the families and loved ones,” Zelensky wrote.

According to the Ukrainian president, the missiles hit “an educational institution and a nearby clinic” and partially destroyed a building of the Poltava Institute of Communications.

Zelensky has ordered an investigation to be carried out “complete” of all the circumstances in which the attack occurred.

According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, the ballistic missiles have fallen at the impact site almost immediately after the air raid sirens soundedso the people who were there did not have time to take refuge in basements or anti-aircraft bunkers.

The head of the Poltava region expressed his condolences and said it was a “terrible day” for the city. He also called on citizens to donate blood.

Meanwhile, the pro-war Russian Telegram channel Rybar claims that dozens of Ukrainian soldiers were killed in the attack, including “highly valued specialists in communications and electronic warfare.”