REVISES HEADLINE & LEDE, ADDED REMARKS BY UKRAINE'S FIRST LADY & POLTAVA GOVERNOR
By Burc Eruygur
ISTANBUL (AA) — Ukraine said on Tuesday that 47 people were killed and over 200 injured in a Russian missile attack in the city of Poltava.
"There have already been 47 deaths and 206 injuries reported. Russia is taking away the most valuable thing from us: our lives. We will never forget this," Ukraine's First Lady Olena Zelenska stated on X.
Describing the incident as a "tragedy," Zelenska offered her condolences to the families of those killed and injured in the attack.
Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on X that 41 people were killed and over 180 were injured in the attack, citing preliminary reports.
Zelenskyy said two ballistic missiles hit an educational institution and a nearby hospital.
He added that a building of the Military Institute of Communications was partially destroyed, and ordered an investigation into the attack.
"All necessary services are involved in the rescue operation," the 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," he added.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's Defense Ministry said 25 people were saved during search and rescue efforts in Poltava, 11 of whom were pulled out from under the rubble.
Separately, Poltava Governor Filip Pronin said on Telegram that the region will observe three days of mourning beginning Wednesday.
Russian authorities have not yet commented on the attack.