At least 41 people were killed and around 180 wounded after two Russian ballistic missiles struck an educational facility and a nearby hospital in a central region of Ukraine, news agency Associated Press quoted President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as saying on Tuesday.
The fresh strikes by Russia targeted Ukraine's central Poltava region and are said to be one of the deadliest attacks by Moscow since its conflict with Kyiv erupted over 900 days ago, on February 24, 2022.
"One of the buildings of the Institute of Communications was partially destroyed. People found themselves under the rubble. Many were saved," AP quoted Zelenskyy as saying on his Telegram channel.
"All necessary services are involved in the rescue operation," the Ukrainian President said. Zelenskyy also ordered a comprehensive and swift investigation into the incident, though he did not provide further details at the time.
According to reports, the missiles struck moments after the air raid sirens blared, catching many civilians as they made their way to bomb shelters. Meanwhile, Ukraine's Defence Ministry condemned the attack, calling it a "barbaric" act.
A Defence Ministry statement revealed that rescue teams and medics saved 25 people, including 11 who were pulled from the rubble after the strikes. More people are feared trapped under the rubble.
Even on Monday, Russian attacks on Ukraine's southeastern Zaporizhzhia region overnight claimed the lives of two people, including an eight-year-old boy. Meanwhile, a separate missile strike on the central city of Dnipro resulted in the death of a third person.
According to Ukrainian authorities, Russian missiles also targeted railway infrastructures in the two regions and an energy facility in the northern region of Chernihiv.
In the last two days, Ukraine has witnessed 313 attacks and shelling incidents across 11 settlements, according to Regional Governor Ivan Fedorov. Several buildings were damaged, including in the city of Zaporizhzhia, the administrative centre of the region, which was hit by a missile strike.
