01:30Mandatory credit: Ukrainian Presidency
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated his ongoing calls to allies for 'long-range' strike capabilities, as he claimed that 41 people had been killed and more than 180 injured in an attack on Poltava on Tuesday.
"I received preliminary reports regarding the Russian strike on Poltava. According to the information available now, two ballistic missiles hit the territory of an educational institution and a neighbouring hospital," he alleged, speaking from Kiev. "The Russian scum will undoubtedly be held accountable for this strike."
Poltava is around 300km southeast of the capital. Moscow had not commented on the specific alleged attack or casualties at time of publication. Russia has always denied targeting civilians or civilian infrastructure, saying that all strikes are aimed at military-linked sites.
"Once again, we urge everyone in the world who has the power to stop this terror: air defence systems and missiles are needed in Ukraine, not in a warehouse somewhere," Zelensky continued. "Long-range strikes that can defend against Russian terror are needed now, not sometime later. Every day of delay, unfortunately, means more lives lost."
Ukraine's Western allies remain divided over the use of their weaponry for long-range strikes deep inside Russia and in the ongoing Kursk offensive on Russian territory.
The UK has previously suggested it backed Kiev's right to use its own long-range Storm Shadows inside Russia, but media reports claimed last week that Washington was blocking it. On Tuesday, it was reported that the US was 'close' to a deal to supply its own long-range cruise missiles, but that deliveries could take 'several months'.
Moscow has repeatedly condemned such a move, saying the ongoing supplies only escalate the conflict and bring NATO into a direct conflict with Russia.
Russia launched a military offensive in Ukraine in late February 2022 after recognising the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR), claiming that Kiev had failed to guarantee their special status under the 2014 Minsk Agreements, and urging Ukraine to declare itself officially neutral and give assurances that it would never join NATO.
Kiev denounced the Russian action as an invasion. Zelensky imposed martial law throughout the country, announcing a general mobilisation, while the EU and the US imposed several rounds of sanctions on Moscow.
'Long-range strikes needed now!' - Zelensky claims 41 dead, over 180 injured in Poltava attack
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated his ongoing calls to allies for 'long-range' strike capabilities, as he claimed that 41 people had been killed and more than 180 injured in an attack on Poltava on Tuesday.
"I received preliminary reports regarding the Russian strike on Poltava. According to the information available now, two ballistic missiles hit the territory of an educational institution and a neighbouring hospital," he alleged, speaking from Kiev. "The Russian scum will undoubtedly be held accountable for this strike."
Poltava is around 300km southeast of the capital. Moscow had not commented on the specific alleged attack or casualties at time of publication. Russia has always denied targeting civilians or civilian infrastructure, saying that all strikes are aimed at military-linked sites.
"Once again, we urge everyone in the world who has the power to stop this terror: air defence systems and missiles are needed in Ukraine, not in a warehouse somewhere," Zelensky continued. "Long-range strikes that can defend against Russian terror are needed now, not sometime later. Every day of delay, unfortunately, means more lives lost."
Ukraine's Western allies remain divided over the use of their weaponry for long-range strikes deep inside Russia and in the ongoing Kursk offensive on Russian territory.
The UK has previously suggested it backed Kiev's right to use its own long-range Storm Shadows inside Russia, but media reports claimed last week that Washington was blocking it. On Tuesday, it was reported that the US was 'close' to a deal to supply its own long-range cruise missiles, but that deliveries could take 'several months'.
Moscow has repeatedly condemned such a move, saying the ongoing supplies only escalate the conflict and bring NATO into a direct conflict with Russia.
Russia launched a military offensive in Ukraine in late February 2022 after recognising the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR), claiming that Kiev had failed to guarantee their special status under the 2014 Minsk Agreements, and urging Ukraine to declare itself officially neutral and give assurances that it would never join NATO.
Kiev denounced the Russian action as an invasion. Zelensky imposed martial law throughout the country, announcing a general mobilisation, while the EU and the US imposed several rounds of sanctions on Moscow.
Mandatory credit: Ukrainian Presidency
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated his ongoing calls to allies for 'long-range' strike capabilities, as he claimed that 41 people had been killed and more than 180 injured in an attack on Poltava on Tuesday.
"I received preliminary reports regarding the Russian strike on Poltava. According to the information available now, two ballistic missiles hit the territory of an educational institution and a neighbouring hospital," he alleged, speaking from Kiev. "The Russian scum will undoubtedly be held accountable for this strike."
Poltava is around 300km southeast of the capital. Moscow had not commented on the specific alleged attack or casualties at time of publication. Russia has always denied targeting civilians or civilian infrastructure, saying that all strikes are aimed at military-linked sites.
"Once again, we urge everyone in the world who has the power to stop this terror: air defence systems and missiles are needed in Ukraine, not in a warehouse somewhere," Zelensky continued. "Long-range strikes that can defend against Russian terror are needed now, not sometime later. Every day of delay, unfortunately, means more lives lost."
Ukraine's Western allies remain divided over the use of their weaponry for long-range strikes deep inside Russia and in the ongoing Kursk offensive on Russian territory.
The UK has previously suggested it backed Kiev's right to use its own long-range Storm Shadows inside Russia, but media reports claimed last week that Washington was blocking it. On Tuesday, it was reported that the US was 'close' to a deal to supply its own long-range cruise missiles, but that deliveries could take 'several months'.
Moscow has repeatedly condemned such a move, saying the ongoing supplies only escalate the conflict and bring NATO into a direct conflict with Russia.
Russia launched a military offensive in Ukraine in late February 2022 after recognising the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR), claiming that Kiev had failed to guarantee their special status under the 2014 Minsk Agreements, and urging Ukraine to declare itself officially neutral and give assurances that it would never join NATO.
Kiev denounced the Russian action as an invasion. Zelensky imposed martial law throughout the country, announcing a general mobilisation, while the EU and the US imposed several rounds of sanctions on Moscow.