Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who shared the news on Tuesday, said he ordered an investigation into the attack and reiterated Kyiv's demands for help from its allies.
ADVERTISEMENTTwo Russian missiles struck an educational institution and a hospital in the central Ukrainian city of Poltava, killing at least 49 and injuring some 200, according to Ukrainian authorities.
The news of the strike was first shared by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday, citing preliminary reports.
"Unfortunately, there are many casualties ... My deepest condolences to all of their relatives and loved ones," he said on X.
The Ukrainian leader said he ordered an investigation into the strike and reiterated Kyiv's demands for help from its allies.
"We continue to urge everyone in the world who has the power to stop this terror: Ukraine needs air defence 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 emphasised.
The death toll, originally reported to be 41, rose to 49 later on Tuesday, Poltava Governor Filip Pronin reported.
Ukrainian Defence Ministry said that the rescue mission continued into the afternoon, with many victims still under the rubble.
Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia targeted
Prior to the strike in Poltava, several regions in Ukraine were hit by Russian strikes over Monday and Tuesday, which killed two in Zaporizhzhia on Tuesday morning and one in Dnipro on Monday night.
In Zaporizhzhia, regional premier Ivan Fedorov said a woman and an 8-year-old boy were killed by an air strike that hit a hotel.
Fedorov also said a 12-year-old girl is in intensive care as a result of the strike having suffered a fractured limb and severe burns.
Explosions in Dnipro late on Monday night killed a 51-year-old and injured six others, one of whom remains in hospital, according to the head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Administration, Serhiy Lysak.
Lysak posted on Telegram that three cars were completely burned as a result of the strike, with 12 more damaged, while several private houses and a kindergarten were also affected.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that the strikes indicated ballistic missile use.
In Kyiv, residents worked to restore damage after a Russian attack on the capital that coincided with Ukrainian children returning to school.
ADVERTISEMENTRussia launched 35 missiles and 23 Shahed drones on Kyiv from Sunday to Monday, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.
Debris was found in eight locations throughout the city, with civilian facilities including a school, subway station and a bakery damaged.
Oksana Argunova, an 18-year-old student, said she was still shaking after the attack after air raid sirens forced residents into bomb shelters.
“I woke up, my neighbour was shouting ‘Let’s go down (to the shelter), there are big explosions.’ We all ran,” she said.
ADVERTISEMENTMonday was the first day back at school after the summer vacation. In Ukraine, the day involves ceremonies and rituals, with students and often teachers wearing traditional costumes.
In Russia, air defences intercepted 158 Ukrainian drones overnight, including two over Moscow and nine over the surrounding region, according to the Defence Ministry. Euronews could not independently verify these claims.