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A Russian missile strike in the eastern Ukrainian city of Poltava killed over 50 people and left hundreds injured.

What’s the deal: At least 51 people were killed when two Russian ballistic missiles struck a hospital and military quarters in Poltava, Ukraine. Ukraine’s prosecutor’s office reported that over 200 people were injured. Russian media claimed the missiles hit the “Poltava Communications Institute” while cadets were in formation outside. However, Ukrainian journalists refuted this, stating there was no formation at the time of the strike.

Russian claims: According to the Russian state-controlled news outlet Tass, “The Ukrainian armed forces have lost more than 600 servicemen as a result of a Russian attack on a military school in Poltava.”

Top Ukrainian officials react: In a statement, Ukrainian military general Oleksandr Syrsky said, “Dozens of people found themselves under the rubble. The aggressor country must answer for every person killed, for every life mutilated.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, “The Russian scum will surely pay for this strike. 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.”

Pentagon reacts: In a statement, Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder said that the attacks “demonstrate the brutality” of these assaults on civilians. Ryder added, “We have been working very diligently to work with the international community to provide air defense [for Ukraine].”