Russian strike kills at least 51 in Ukraine
Two Russian missiles struck a military academy and hospital in the Ukrainian city of Poltava


What happened
At least 51 people were killed Tuesday when two Russian ballistic missiles struck a military academy and hospital in the Ukrainian city of Poltava, officials said. More than 270 others were injured. The morning strike on Poltava, about 100 miles from the Russian border southeast of Kyiv, was the deadliest single attack in Ukraine this year. Moscow has been slamming the country with daily missile and drone barrages for a week and a half. Early Wednesday strikes in Lviv, near Ukraine's border with Poland, killed at least seven people, including children, the city's mayor said.
Who said what
The Russian missiles hit the main building of the Poltava Military Institute of Communication in rapid succession, just minutes after the air raid sirens sounded, Ukrainian officials and witnesses said. Ukraine's Defense Ministry said many students and teachers did not have enough time to reach bomb shelters. The academy "trains officers in communications and electronics, as well as drone operators," The Associated Press said, "honing some of the most valued skills" in the war.
The Poltava attack "highlighted how a shortage of air-defense systems is leaving Ukraine vulnerable to Russian strikes," The Wall Street Journal said. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pleaded on social media for "everyone in the world who has the power to stop this terror" to send "air defense systems and missiles now," not leave them "sitting in storage." Ukraine also urgently needs approval for "long-range strikes that can protect us from Russian terror," he said. First lady Olena Zelenska said "Russia is taking away our most valuable asset, our lives.”
What next?
Zelenskyy ordered an investigation into the Poltava attack. Several member of his government, including Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, submitted their resignations Wednesday ahead of a major Cabinet reshuffle.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Will Donald Trump’s second state visit be a diplomatic disaster?
Today's Big Question Charlie Kirk shooting, Saturday’s far-right rally and continued Jeffrey Epstein fallout ramps-up risks of already fraught trip
-
England’s ‘dysfunctional’ children’s care system
In the Spotlight A new report reveals that protection of youngsters in care in England is failing in a profit-chasing sector
-
Cider farms to visit this autumn
The Week Recommends With harvest season fast approaching, spend an afternoon at one of these idyllic orchards
-
Kim Jong Un’s triumph: the rise and rise of North Korea’s dictator
In the Spotlight North Korean leader has strengthened ties with Russia and China, and recently revealed his ‘respected child’ to the world
-
‘Peak consumption has become the Holy Grail of the energy debate’
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Nadine Menendez gets 4.5 years in bribery case
Speed Read Menendez's husband was previously sentenced to 11 years in prison
-
Koreans detained in US Hyundai raid return home
Speed Read Over 300 Koreans were detained at the plant last week
-
Brazil’s Bolsonaro sentenced to 27 years for coup attempt
Speed Read Bolsonaro was convicted of attempting to stay in power following his 2022 election loss
-
Former top FBI agents sue, claiming Trump purge
Speed Read The agents alleged they were targeted by a “campaign of retribution”
-
Conservative influencer Charlie Kirk shot dead at 31
Speed Read Kirk was holding a debate session at Utah Valley University
-
Judge lets Cook stay at Fed while appealing ouster
Speed Read Trump had attempted to fire Cook over allegations of mortgage fraud