A series of Russian missile strikes on Tuesday have devastated the Ukrainian city of Poltava, leaving a trail of death and destruction. The attacks, which targeted a military training facility and a nearby hospital, have claimed the lives of at least 51 people and injured 219 others, according to Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense.
The military facility struck was the Poltava Military Institute of Communications, a key institution for training military personnel in communications and technology. The impact of the missiles caused significant damage to the facility, leaving shattered bricks and pools of blood visible from outside. The nearby hospital also sustained damage, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the Russian attacks.
The attack comes as Russia intensifies its offensive in eastern Ukraine, focusing on the strategically important city of Pokrovsk. The capture of Pokrovsk would be a significant victory for Russia, potentially giving them control over the entire eastern region. Despite Ukrainian gains within Russia, the Russian military has made significant advances towards Pokrovsk, coming within just 6-7 miles of the city.
Following the attacks, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reiterated his urgent call for international partners to provide Ukraine with long-range missiles and air defense systems. Zelenskyy has been vocal in his plea for such weaponry for several months, arguing that they are crucial for Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression. He has specifically urged the United States to allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles inside Russia, mirroring Russia’s own tactics of striking targets across Ukraine. The United States has so far limited its support to defensive equipment and has been hesitant to provide weapons for offensive use within Russian borders.
In a statement on X, Zelenskyy expressed the urgency of the situation, stating, “We continue to urge everyone in the world who has the power to stop this terror: Ukraine needs air defense systems and missiles now, not sitting in storage. Long-range strikes that can protect us from Russian terror are needed now, not later. Every day of delay, unfortunately, means more lost lives.”
The attacks in Poltava are among the deadliest since the beginning of the war in 2022. The devastating impact of the strikes serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing human cost of the conflict and underscores the critical need for international support to Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression.
