Bloodbath as Russian robots struck Poltava

Over 50 lives have been claimed in a Russian robot attack on the city of Poltava, according to Ukrainian reports. The attack is one of the deadliest since the full-scale war in Ukraine began in February 2022.

» Updated:

» Published:

Bloodbath as Russian robots struck Poltava
Photo: David Guttenfelder/The New York Times/TT

Share this article

Two Iskander missiles struck a military school building and a nearby healthcare facility, according to Kiev, as reported by AP and AFP.

"People were trapped under the rubble. Many were rescued," writes Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky in his post published on social media.

Over 50 people have been killed and hundreds injured, according to Ukrainian authorities. A dozen are feared to be trapped under the rubble, and the death toll is expected to rise.

"Dust everywhere"

It is unclear whether the victims are civilians or military personnel. Normally, Ukraine only reports civilian casualties, but in this case, the distinction may be difficult to make – the area was reportedly full of cadets from the military school, as well as other people from the school and healthcare sector.

The window was blown out. There was dust everywhere, says Jevgenija Tjyrva, who lives in a nearby building that was damaged in the attack.

Ukraine's Defense Ministry calls it a barbaric Russian attack.

"The time interval between the alarm and the deadly missile strike was so short that they hit people just as they were trying to reach the shelters," the ministry writes.

Unverified images published by, among others, Ukraine's state media show extensive destruction on Tuesday morning in an area with several high-rise buildings, one of which has had a large part of its facade blown off.

Slow deliveries

Zelensky has ordered a full investigation into the circumstances. He believes that the bloodbath is a result of slow deliveries of promised military aid to Ukraine.

"Ukraine needs air defense and missiles now, not waiting in warehouses," he writes on Telegram. "Every day that passes with delays means, unfortunately, more lost lives."

Poltava has several hundred thousand inhabitants and is located about ten miles from the border with Russia, further inland than the more war-torn city of Kharkiv.

For Sweden's part, Poltava is known as the site of the largest battle during the Great Northern War, between Sweden and Russia in the summer of 1709.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Rubio Affirms US Support for Israel Amid Qatar Attack Concerns

Rubio Affirms US Support for Israel Amid Qatar Attack Concerns

Venezuela Accuses USA of Harassing Fishermen in Economic Zone

Venezuela Accuses USA of Harassing Fishermen in Economic Zone

Mother Admits to Killing Children Found in Suitcases in New Zealand

Mother Admits to Killing Children Found in Suitcases in New Zealand

Russian Drone Enters Romanian Airspace Amid Ukraine Conflict

Russian Drone Enters Romanian Airspace Amid Ukraine Conflict

Ukrainian Drone Hits Major Russian Oil Refinery Causing Fire

Ukrainian Drone Hits Major Russian Oil Refinery Causing Fire

Poland Conducts Air Maneuver After Russian Airspace Violation

Poland Conducts Air Maneuver After Russian Airspace Violation

Taliban Seeks Normalized Relations with USA Amid Prisoner Exchange Talks

Taliban Seeks Normalized Relations with USA Amid Prisoner Exchange Talks

Gas Explosion in Madrid Injures at Least 25 People

Gas Explosion in Madrid Injures at Least 25 People

Is Africa Prepared for Its Rapidly Aging Population?

Is Africa Prepared for Its Rapidly Aging Population?

Sanctions on Russian Oil Could Benefit US, Says Expert

Sanctions on Russian Oil Could Benefit US, Says Expert

Elon Musk Joins Right-Wing Extremist Rally in London via Video Link

Elon Musk Joins Right-Wing Extremist Rally in London via Video Link

Trump Proposes New Sanctions if NATO Halts Russian Oil Imports

Trump Proposes New Sanctions if NATO Halts Russian Oil Imports

Mayor and 47 Officials Arrested in Istanbul Raid

Mayor and 47 Officials Arrested in Istanbul Raid

Children Among Casualties in Israeli Attacks on Gaza City

Children Among Casualties in Israeli Attacks on Gaza City

Air Strike in Myanmar Kills 19 Schoolchildren in Rakhine

Air Strike in Myanmar Kills 19 Schoolchildren in Rakhine

Over 200,000 Casualties in Gaza Conflict, Says Former Israeli Chief

Over 200,000 Casualties in Gaza Conflict, Says Former Israeli Chief

EPA Proposes Ending Emissions Reporting for Major Polluters

EPA Proposes Ending Emissions Reporting for Major Polluters

Epstein's Address Book Reveals Celebrity Connections and Secrets

Epstein's Address Book Reveals Celebrity Connections and Secrets

Epstein Documents Could Pose Serious Threat to Trump

Epstein Documents Could Pose Serious Threat to Trump

Severe Earthquake Strikes Off Eastern Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula

Severe Earthquake Strikes Off Eastern Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula