Ukraine Confirms Soldiers Among 51 Dead in Poltava Missile Strike
A devastating missile strike by Russian forces on Poltava, a city in central Ukraine, has resulted in the deaths of at least 51 individuals and left 271 others injured. Among the fatalities were military personnel, as confirmed by Ukraine’s land forces, after a military academy and a nearby hospital were struck in the attack.
The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine expressed that the warning time was insufficient for many to reach bomb shelters after the air raid siren went off. In response, President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strike, vowing that those responsible would face retribution. He also renewed his call for enhanced air defense systems, stressing the need for Ukraine to be capable of executing its own long-range missile defenses. Meanwhile, Moscow has yet to issue any comments regarding the incident.
Local residents described the harrowing aftermath of the strike. The sheer force of the explosion shattered windows in nearby buildings, leaving many in shock. Mykyta Petrov, a 26-year-old cadet who had recently joined the Poltava Military Communications Institute, recounted the moment the missiles hit just after 09:00 local time on Tuesday. “I ran outside, there was smoke and dust everywhere,” he said. “There were people outside having a cigarette, and many were killed.” The trauma of the event, with its overwhelming scenes of blood and death, has left a deep psychological impact on him.
Contrary to early reports from Russian military bloggers, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence clarified that no military parade was taking place at the time of the attack. The air raid alarm sounded at 09:08, and while many tried to seek shelter, the explosions occurred just minutes later, catching them off guard.
Among those caught in the attack was 30-year-old Jana Kulishova. Woken by the siren, she had no time to reach a shelter. For Jana, the tragedy hits close to home, as her husband is currently fighting on the frontlines in the Donbas region. “Soldiers have died here, and I know there are still soldiers trapped under the rubble. Their wives are waiting for them,” she lamented.
Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Goncharenko highlighted the challenges civilians face in such short warning times, calling the two minutes between the alarm and the missiles’ impact “nothing.” He urged for a change, emphasizing the unfairness of living under constant threat.
In the wake of the attack, Ukraine’s land forces confirmed the initiation of an investigation to determine whether adequate measures were taken to protect the personnel at the military facility. Additional safety protocols are being implemented to prevent future tragedies. Firefighters and rescue teams have been working tirelessly to clear the debris, though access to the site remains restricted due to its sensitive nature.
Local residents, still reeling from the attack, shared their experiences. Olena Serdyuk, a Poltava resident, described how her family took shelter in their bathroom during the strike, as they had no nearby bomb shelters. Another local, Anastasiia Artyukh, recalled the terrifying explosions and the damage they caused, leaving many without safe havens.
Poltava regional governor Philip Pronin condemned the attack as a “cunning and cynical Russian strike” and revealed that 15 people were still feared trapped under the rubble. Due to security concerns, further details were not immediately available.
Ukraine’s First Lady, Olena Zelenska, expressed her grief on social media, calling the attack a “stunning tragedy for all of Ukraine.” She mourned the loss of life, asserting that Russia was robbing Ukraine of its most precious asset.
In a video statement, President Zelensky reiterated that Russia would be held accountable and called for a “full and prompt” investigation. He emphasized the urgent need for advanced air defense systems to protect Ukrainian lives, warning that delays would result in more casualties.
International leaders also condemned the strike. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy described it as a “sickening act of aggression,” while US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby called it a “horrific reminder of Putin’s brutality.” Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock added that Vladimir Putin “knows no limits to brutality.”
Criticism has also been directed at Ukrainian authorities for their handling of the situation. Ukrainian MP Maria Bezugla, known for her critiques of the military leadership, questioned whether enough was done to protect soldiers, lamenting the repeated tragedies.
The attack has triggered significant changes within the Ukrainian government. The minister responsible for weapons reduction resigned, and more governmental reshuffles are expected. David Arakhamia, a senior lawmaker from Zelensky’s party, hinted at a major overhaul, with numerous ministers likely to be replaced in the coming days.
The missile strike in Poltava occurred as Russian President Vladimir Putin made his first visit to Mongolia, an International Criminal Court (ICC) member state, since the ICC issued a warrant for his arrest last year.
Poltava, a city with a pre-war population of 300,000, is located approximately 300 kilometers east of Kyiv. The Poltava Military Communications Institute, founded in the 1960s during the Soviet era, trains specialists in telecommunications.
