In his evening video address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke about the situation in the city of Poltava, which was subjected to a rocket attack. Rescue operations are still ongoing, and the number of victims is constantly increasing, Komersant ukrainskyi
reports
“Rescue operations are still ongoing – the rubble is being cleared. All services are involved. As of now, the number of injured is 271. Everyone is being provided with the necessary assistance. I am grateful to all rescuers, doctors, nurses and all Poltava residents who have joined in, donated blood and supported us. We know that there are people under the rubble of the destroyed building. Everything is being done to save as many lives as possible. According to the information available now, this Russian strike killed 51 people. My condolences to all the families and friends,” Zelenskyy said.
He noted that law enforcement agencies and the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine are investigating all the circumstances of this tragedy.
“The Russians carried out this strike with two ballistic missiles. There was an air raid alert. Everything else – every detail – must be established and verified during the investigation,” Zelenskyy said.
What happened in Poltava on 3 September
According to the investigation, on 3 September 2024, the Russian Armed Forces launched an air attack on Poltava, preceded by two Iskander-M ballistic missiles. The enemy hit an educational institution and a hospital.
One of the buildings of the Institute of Communications, the hospital and nearby houses were partially destroyed.
Rescuers, an investigative team and other services are currently working at the scene to clear the rubble. Prosecutors, in cooperation with other law enforcement agencies, are documenting the consequences of another crime by the aggressor state.