On 3 September 2024, Ukrainian officials said that two Russian missiles hit a branch of the Military Institute of Telecommunications and Information Technologies and a nearby hospital in Poltava, Ukraine,[1] killing at least 51 and injuring at least 235.[2] According to president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a building in the military institute was "partially destroyed".[3]
| September 2024 Poltava strike | |
|---|---|
| Part of the Russian invasion of Ukraine | |
| Type | Missile strike |
| Location | |
| Date | 3 September 2024 |
| Executed by | Russian Armed Forces |
| Casualties | 51+ killed 235+ injured |
Attack
According to the Office of the Prosecutor General, 51 people were known to have died and more than 200 were injured; it also said that "One of the buildings of the Institute of Communications, a hospital and nearby houses were partially destroyed".[4] Emergency services rescued 25 people, including 11 who were trapped under the rubble of the affected buildings.[5] The Ukrainian defence ministry said that the interval between activation of air raid sirens and the arrival of the missiles was too short to allow people to safely reach bomb shelters.[6] The ministry added that the attack occurred while classes were ongoing.[7]
Responses
Domestic
President Zelenskyy ordered an investigation into the attack,[5] and called on Western nations to ensure the arrival of missiles and air defence systems. He also said Russia will "surely pay" for the attack.[8] Philip Pronin, the governor of Poltava Oblast, announced three days of mourning beginning on 4 September.[9]
Maryana Bezuhla, a deputy in the Ukrainian parliament, accused Ukraine's military leadership of putting soldiers in danger.[10]
References
- ^ "Deadliest Russian Missile Strike This Year Highlights Ukraine's Air-Defense Shortage". The Wall Street Journal. 3 September 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
- ^ Hodunova, Kateryna; Denisova, Kateryna (3 September 2024). "Russia strikes Poltava with ballistic missiles, killing at least 51, injuring over 200". The Kyiv Independent. Archived from the original on 3 September 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
- ^ "Live Updates: Russian Strike Kills More Than 50 in Ukraine, Zelensky Says". The New York Times. 3 September 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
The strike hit the Institute of Communications, a military academy in Poltava in eastern Ukraine, President Zelensky said in a video posted to his Telegram channel.
- ^ "PGO: Death toll in Poltava increases to 51". Interfax-Ukraine. 3 September 2024.
- ^ a b Hodunova, Kateryna (3 September 2024). "Russia strikes Poltava with ballistic missiles, killing at least 47, injuring over 200". The Kyiv Independent. Archived from the original on 3 September 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
- ^ "Zelensky Says 41 Killed, 180 Injured in Russian Attack on Poltava". The Moscow Times. 3 September 2024. Archived from the original on 3 September 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
- ^ "Russia strikes Poltava with ballistic missiles, killing at least 49, injuring over 200". The Kyiv Independent. 3 September 2024. Archived from the original on 3 September 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
- ^ "At least 51 killed in Russian missile strike on Ukraine's Poltava". Al Jazeera. 3 September 2024. Archived from the original on 3 September 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
- ^ O'Grady, Siobhán; Hassan, Jennifer (3 September 2024). "Dozens killed in Russian missile strike on Ukrainian city of Poltava". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
- ^ "Ukraine says soldiers among 51 killed in Poltava missile attack". BBC News. 3 September 2024. Archived from the original on 3 September 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2024.