Tragic Attacks in Lviv and Poltava: Casualties and Destruction in Ukraine

Tragic Assault in Lviv: Casualties and Damage Reported

In a devastating series of attacks early Wednesday morning, at least seven individuals lost their lives and 35 others sustained injuries due to a combination of Russian missile and drone strikes targeting the western Ukrainian city of Lviv. Among the deceased were a child and a dedicated medical worker. Local authorities reported that several victims are in critical condition, and the assault resulted in significant destruction, affecting more than 50 residential homes, two medical facilities, and two educational institutions. Lviv’s Mayor, Andrii Sadovyi, conveyed this grim news in a heartfelt video address.

Additionally, an overnight strike in Kryvyi Rih, the hometown of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, resulted in injuries to five individuals, as reported by regional head Serhii Lysak. In response to these escalating attacks, President Zelenskyy called upon Ukraine’s allies to provide Kyiv with “greater range” in utilizing Western weaponry to strike further into Russian territory. Reports of missile strikes have also emerged from various cities across Ukraine, including the capital city of Kyiv, as well as Sumy, Lutsk, and Rivne.

Over the past ten days, Russia has unleashed a torrent of drone and missile attacks on Ukraine, with recent strikes reported in Poltava, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Zaporizhzhia. These assaults come in the wake of Ukraine’s recent incursions into Russia’s Kursk region.

Poltava Strike: A Deadly Assault

The tragic events in Lviv followed closely after a catastrophic strike on Tuesday, where two Russian ballistic missiles targeted a military academy and a nearby hospital in Poltava, resulting in the loss of over 50 lives — marking it as the deadliest single attack of the year. President Zelenskyy was the first to share this alarming news, referencing preliminary reports of the incident.

The missiles struck the Poltava Military Institute of Communication, causing extensive structural damage that led to several stories collapsing. The impact of the strike quickly spread through the central-eastern town, accompanied by the acrid smell of smoke and urgent calls for help.

“Many people found themselves trapped under the debris, but thankfully, many were rescued,” Zelenskyy stated in a video shared on his Telegram channel. He emphasized the need for an investigation into the attack and reiterated Kyiv’s urgent requests for assistance from its international allies.

Related Information

• Why do long-range strikes matter to Ukraine? | Radio Schuman
• Russia targets Kyiv with another barrage of drones and missiles

According to Filip Pronin, the governor of the region, a staggering 219 individuals were reported injured in the Poltava attack, with an alarming possibility that another 20 people may still be trapped beneath the rubble. The destruction extended to ten apartment buildings, prompting more than 150 local residents to come forward and donate blood to aid the injured.