On a recent Tuesday morning, a devastating Russian missile strike targeted the city of Poltava in central Ukraine. The attack resulted in at least 51 deaths and injured 271 others. Key locations hit included a military academy and a nearby hospital. Ukraine’s land forces confirmed that military personnel were among those killed.
Immediate Impact and Eyewitness Accounts
- Timing and Damage: The missile strike occurred just after 09:00 local time (06:00 GMT). Eyewitnesses reported that the second missile hit only three seconds after the first. The force of the impact was so severe that windows in nearby buildings were blown out.
- Personal Accounts: Mykyta Petrov, a 26-year-old cadet at the Poltava Military Communications Institute, described the scene as chaotic and traumatic. He noted that many people outside were caught in the explosion and suffered severe injuries or death.
- Alarm and Response: The air raid siren was sounded at 09:08 local time. Despite the warning, many did not have enough time to reach shelters before the explosions occurred.
Reactions and Statements
- President Volodymyr Zelensky: The Ukrainian President condemned the attack and vowed that those responsible would face consequences. He emphasized the need for more advanced air defense systems to protect Ukraine from future attacks.
- Local Response: Poltava regional governor Philip Pronin labeled the attack as a “cunning and cynical Russian strike.” He reported that 15 individuals were still trapped under the rubble, and 10 residential buildings were damaged.
- International Reactions:
- UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy: Described the attack as a “sickening act of aggression.”
- US President Joe Biden: Called the strike a “deplorable attack” and reiterated the US’s support for Ukraine.
- Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock: Criticized President Putin for his “brutality.”
Criticism and Government Response
- Internal Criticism: Ukrainian MP Maria Bezugla criticized the military leadership for allegedly failing to protect soldiers, questioning when such tragedies would end.
- Government Changes: Following the attack, significant changes within the Ukrainian government have been announced. The minister in charge of weapons reduction resigned, and a major government overhaul is expected, with more than half of the ministers likely to be replaced.
Background Information
Poltava, with a pre-war population of 300,000, is situated 300 kilometers east of Kyiv. The Poltava Military Communications Institute, established in the 1960s, trains specialists in telecommunications.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- How many people were killed in the Russian missile strike on Poltava?
- A) 31
- B) 51
- C) 71
- D) 91
- What time did the air raid siren sound in Poltava before the missile strike occurred?
- A) 08:08
- B) 09:08
- C) 10:08
- D) 11:08
- Which Ukrainian official condemned the missile strike and promised accountability for those responsible?
- A) Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal
- B) President Volodymyr Zelensky
- C) Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba
- D) Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov
- What was the reported effect of the missile strike on the residential buildings in Poltava?
- A) Buildings were completely destroyed
- B) Windows were blown out
- C) No damage was reported
- D) Only the roofs were damaged
- What significant government change occurred following the attack?
- A) The Ukrainian President resigned
- B) The minister in charge of weapons reduction resigned
- C) The mayor of Poltava was replaced
- D) The Prime Minister announced a new policy