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At least 41 people have been confirmed dead and more than 180 injured after Russian cruise missiles struck the central Ukrainian city of Poltava, president Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
Preliminary information suggests two cruise missiles hit an educational institution and nearby medical facility, leaving people buried underneath the rubble, the Ukrainian president said, in what appears to be one of the worst attacks since Russia’s invasion more than 900 days ago.
As rescue efforts continued, Ukraine’s defence ministry said the time interval between the bomb sirens and the missiles hitting had been so short that people were caught up in the attack as they made their way to bomb shelters.
It came as Mongolia failed to arrest Russian president Vladimir Putin after he landedfor a two-day visit, despite being a member of the International Criminal Court’s Rome Statute.
Mongolia – which is heavily reliant upon Russia for its economic stability – has a legal obligation to the world court to detain Mr Putin and transport him to The Hague, because he faces an international arrest warrant over war crimes in Ukraine.
Key Points
- Breaking: At least 41 killed in missile strike on Poltava, Volodymyr Zelensky says
- Ukraine criticises Mongolia as it fails to arrest Vladimir Putin
- Zelensky reports tough battles against Russian brigades ...
- ... As Moscow steps up its offensive in eastern Ukraine
- US researchers find probable launch site of Russia’s new nuclear-powered missile
- Poland ‘has duty’ to shoot down Russian missiles
Windows shattered in high-rise buildings by Russian attack on Poltava
The shockwave from the Russian missile attack on Poltava knocked the windows out of high-rise residential buildings nearby and damaged the buildings’ facades, Ukrainian officials said
Police are conducting a door-to-door search to see if there are any victims, Ukraine’s state emergency service said on Telegram, adding that “hundreds of claims about damaged property have already been recorded”.
Twenty-five saved so far in Poltava rescue effort, officials say
Rescue crews and medics have so far saved 25 people in Poltava after the Russian missile attack which has killed at least 41 people, Ukraine’s defence minstry said.
According to the ministry, 11 of those saved so far were dug out from underneath the rubble.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said earlier that more than 180 people were feared to be injured after two suspected cruise missiles hit an educational institution and a nearby medical facility.
Andy Gregory3 September 2024 13:01 1725364770Victims caught up in Poltava attack while making way to bomb shelters, Ukraine says
As rescue efforts continue in Poltava, Ukraine’s defence ministry has suggested that the time interval between the bomb sirens and the missiles hitting had been so short that people were caught up in the attack as they made their way to bomb shelters.
The ministry added: “We express our sincere condolences to the families of the victims. This tragedy is yet another evidence of the treachery of the enemy, who does not stop at any crimes, trying to intimidate Ukrainians. “We urge everyone to remain calm and trust only official sources of information. Any speculation on this tragedy is unacceptable.”
Andy Gregory3 September 2024 12:59 1725364394‘Every day of delay means more lost lives’: Zelensky repeats appeal for West to up its support
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky has repeated his call for Kyiv’s allies to allow their weapons to be used to strike targets inside Russia, after suspected cruise missile attacks killed at least 41 people in the central Ukrainian city of Poltava on Tuesday.
Warning that Moscow “will pay for this strike”, the Ukrainian president said: “We continue to urge everyone in the world who has the power to stop this terror: Ukraine needs air defense systems and missiles now, not sitting in storage.
“Long-range strikes that can protect us from Russian terror are needed now, not later. Every day of delay, unfortunately, means more lost lives.”
Zelensky orders ‘full and prompt’ investigation into deadly Poltava strike
The strike in Poltava appears to potentially be one of the deadliest carried out by Russian forces since Vladimir Putin’s war began more than 900 days ago. “One of the buildings of the Institute of Communications was partially destroyed. People found themselves under the rubble. Many were saved,” Ukrainian president Volodymr Zelensky said. “All necessary services are involved in the rescue operation,” Mr Zelensky said, adding that he had ordered “a full and prompt investigation” into what happened.
Andy Gregory3 September 2024 12:47 1725363570At least 41 dead in Russian missile strikes in central Ukrainian city of Poltava, Zelensky says
At least 41 people have been confirmed dead and more than 180 injured after Russian cruise missiles struck the central Ukrainian city of Poltava, president Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
Preliminary information suggests two cruise missiles hit an educational institution and nearby medical facility, leaving people buried underneath the rubble, the Ukrainian president said.
Andy Gregory3 September 2024 12:39 1725363378Watch: Drone rains down molten thermite on Ukrainian battlefield
Ukraine’s anti-corruption body fires senior official ‘for pressurising whistleblower'
Ukraine’s anti-corruption body has dismissed a senior official over allegations they sought to discredit a colleague who allegedly put pressure on a whistelblower who had reported potential information leaks.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) said its disciplinary commission found that the deputy had committed actions “aimed at personally and professionally discrediting an employee of the bureau who submitted a note about possible facts of information leakage”.
The agency provided no further details and did not name the person.
Anastasia Radina, the head of the parliamentary anti-corruption committee, said on Facebook the official had been dismissed for putting pressure on a whistleblower who had reported a possible leakage of information.
A law enforcement source told Reuters in May that the leak had compromised a high-profile investigation into a road-building project involving government money.
Andy Gregory3 September 2024 12:18 1725360618Physicist working on Putin’s hypersonic missiles is jailed
Vladimir Putin’s court has sentenced physicist Alexander Shiplyuk to 15 years in prison on treason charges.
The case on Tuesday is the latest of several against experts working on the science underpinning Russia’s development of hypersonic missiles, Russian news agencies said.
Shiplyuk, the 57-year-old director of a top Siberian science institute, was arrested in August 2022. Two of his colleagues, Anatoly Maslov and Valery Zvegintsev, were also detained on suspicion of treason. Maslov, 78, was handed a 14-year sentence in May.
Rich Booth and Lucy Papachristou have the full report:
Physicist working on Putin’s hypersonic missiles is jailed
Several experts working on the science behind Russia’s hypersonic missiles have been arrested
Andy Gregory3 September 2024 11:50 1725359491Ukraine incursion into Kursk continues
Ukraine’s incursion into the Russian region of Kursk continues, with analysts suggesting numerous developments in recent days as Vladimir Putin’s forces seek to repel Kyiv’s invasion.
Citing geolocated footage and claims by Russian military bloggers, the US-based Institute for the Study of War think-tank noted numerous potential advances and retreats by Ukrainian forces deployed along the new frontlines in Kursk in recent days.
With Kyiv having sought to destroy numerous crossings over the Seym river in recent weeks in a bid to hamper Russian supply lines and shore up its own position, Russian military bloggers claimed Ukrainian forces were continuing to strike Russian pontoon crossings over the river.
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