A Russian missile attack on Poltava Oblast in central Ukraine killed at least 41 people and injured more than 180. President Volodymyr Zelensky said that two ballistic missiles were used to target educational and medical facilities.

According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, the missile landed shortly after an air raid siren was sounded and “many people were caught up in it as they tried to take refuge in shelters.”

The Associated Press and other news agencies have reported that the number of casualties is the largest since the invasion in February of last year.

President Zelensky warned that “Russia will surely pay a price for this attack,” and called on countries to immediately provide air defense systems and missiles, saying, “We now need long-range strikes that can protect us from Russian terrorism. Every day of delay will mean more lives will be lost.”

Source: Japanese