The death toll from the Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Poltava is rising, as according to the latest tally published on her personal account by the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, they have been killed at least 47 people while the injured exceed 206.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the city had been attacked. This is one of the deadliest attacks carried out by Russia since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine.

In particular, Zelensky said in a video that Russian forces hit “an educational institution and a nearby hospital” with two ballistic missiles. “One of the buildings of the Institute of Communications was partially destroyed. People remain under rubble,” he added.

“We have received preliminary reports about the Russian attack on Poltava. According to currently available information, two ballistic missiles hit the ground of an educational institution and a nearby hospital. One of the buildings of the Institute of Communications was partially destroyed. People were buried under the debris. Many were saved. More than 180 people were injured. Unfortunately, there are currently 41 dead. My condolences to all relatives and friends,” the Ukrainian president said.

At the same time, Volodymyr Zelensky stated that “I ordered a full and immediate investigation into all the circumstances of what happened. All necessary services are involved in the rescue operation. I am grateful to everyone who helped and saved lives from the first moment after the strike.”

He also promised to hold Russia to account and once again called on Kiev’s Western allies to urgently deliver more air defense systems and allow Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory with long-range missiles.

According to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, the strike occurred within a very short period of time after the incoming missile warning alarm was activated. “It happened when people were going to the underground shelter,” he said.

“Thanks to the coordinated work of rescuers and doctors, 25 people were rescued, 11 of whom were freed from the debris, rescuers are currently continuing their work,” the ministry added.

Vladimir Rogov, a Kremlin-appointed official in southern Ukraine, claimed in a post on the Telegram messaging app that the missile attack hit a military academy training hundreds of cadets in radar and electronic warfare. His claim, which could explain the high death toll, has not been independently verified, the New York Times reported.