The city of Poltava is grappling with the aftermath of a destructive missile strike by Russia, which has left devastation and heartache in its wake.
At a Glance
- Rescue workers from the State Emergency Service were already on the scene when Denys Kliap arrived.
- Bodies were pulled from the rubble, many severely mutilated.
- Russian missile strikes targeted a military academy and a neighboring hospital in Poltava.
- A Russian missile strike killed over 50 people and injured many others.
- Local authorities declared three days of mourning.
Scenes of Destruction
Poltava is reeling after a Russian missile strike left the city in ruins. Buildings have been obliterated, with shattered glass and gaping holes evident everywhere. Residents and first responders navigate through the wreckage, searching for loved ones and pulling severely mutilated bodies from the rubble. The State Emergency Service arrived swiftly, but their efforts offer little consolation to those who have lost everything.
Denys Kliap, the 26-year-old director of Free and Unbreakable, a volunteer rapid response team, described the scene as a “pile of bodies scattered all over the territory of the institute” despite his experience with similar scenes.
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Strikes on Military and Civilian Targets
Russian missile strikes specifically targeted a military academy and a hospital in Poltava, killing over 50 people and injuring many more. This attack is one of the deadliest since the war began two and a half years ago. The missiles were ballistic, capable of supersonic speeds, making it difficult for residents to reach shelters in time. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the nature of the missiles and emphasized the sheer speed and lethality of these weapons.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyyy said the strikes had been carried out with ballistic missiles, which can travel at supersonic speed and reach a target anywhere in Ukraine in a matter of minutes.
The attack came during a particularly active phase of the war, with both Ukraine and Russia intensifying their offensives. Local authorities have declared three days of mourning, reflecting the immense loss the community has suffered.
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International Response and Condemnation
Global leaders condemned the attack vehemently. US President Joe Biden and other international figures called for more military aid to Ukraine, highlighting the urgent need for air defense systems. President Zelenskyyy also reiterated the necessity for swift military assistance to safeguard Ukraine from further attacks.
I condemn this deplorable attack in the strongest possible terms,” President Biden said in a statement Tuesday evening. “This assault is a tragic reminder of Putin’s ongoing and outrageous attempts to break the will of a free people. But for two and a half years, the people of Ukraine have stood unbowed. And the United States will continue to stand with them—including providing the air defense systems and capabilities they need to protect their country.
Poltava, located about 100 miles from the Russian border, is now a symbol of resilience amidst tragedy. As the city mourns its losses, the need for international support and solidarity has never been clearer.
