At least 47 people were killed and more than 206 wounded on Tuesday when Russia hit a military institute in the central town of Poltava, Ukraine’s first lady Olena Zelenska has said.
Earlier, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a video that Russian forces struck with two ballistic missiles, damaging a building of the Military Institute of Communications.
He added that he had ordered a full and prompt investigation into the circumstances of the attack.
“The Russian scum will definitely be held accountable for this strike,” Mr Zelenskiy said on the Telegram messaging app.
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He repeated his calls for more western air defences and urged allies to allow their long-range weapons to be used for strikes deeper into Russian territory in order to protect Ukraine.
“We keep telling everyone in the world who has the power to stop this terror: air defence systems and missiles are needed in Ukraine, not in a warehouse somewhere.
“Long-range strikes that can protect us from Russian terror are needed now, not some time later. Unfortunately, every day of delay means loss of life.”
According to the foreign ministry, the type of weapons used in the strike in Poltava with two missiles left little time for people to find cover once the air alert had sounded.
Photographs posted on social media in Ukraine showed several bodies lying on the ground covered in dust and debris, with the badly damaged side of a large building behind them.
“One of the institute’s buildings was partially destroyed, and many people were trapped under the rubble,” the defence ministry said on Telegram. “Thanks to the coordinated work of rescuers and medics, 25 people were rescued, 11 of whom were taken from the rubble. The rescuers are currently continuing their work.”
Russia has yet to comment on the attack. – Reuters.