Russian missile strike kills more than 50 people and wounds over 200 in Ukrainian city of Poltava, officials say

Two ballistic missiles struck a military academy and a nearby hospital in Ukraine on Tuesday, killing over 50 people and injuring more than 200, according to Ukrainian officials.

The missiles hit the central building of the Poltava Military Institute of Communication, causing several floors to collapse. The scent of smoke and news of the deadly attack quickly spread through the central-eastern town.

This attack is believed to be one of the deadliest by Russian forces since their full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, over 900 days ago.

“People were trapped under the rubble, but many were rescued,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video on his Telegram channel, where he also announced an investigation.

Inside the closed gates of the institution, shattered bricks were visible, and small pools of blood were seen outside hours later. Communications trucks were stationed around the perimeter, and broken glass from shattered apartment windows littered the streets.

“I heard explosions… I was at home at the time. When I stepped outside, I knew something terrible had happened,” said Yevheniy Zemskyy, who volunteered to help. “I was concerned for the children and residents of Poltava, so we’re here to help our city however we can.”