KYIV: Two Russian ballistic missiles struck an educational facility and nearby hospital in a central-eastern region of Ukraine, killing at least 41 people and wounding 180 others, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday.
The strike occurred in the city of Poltava, the capital of the region of the same name, officials said. Poltava is located about 110 kilometers (70 miles) from the border with Russia and about 350 kilometers (200 miles) southeast of Kyiv.
The strike appeared to be one of the deadliest carried out by Russian forces since the war began more than 900 days ago on Feb. 24, 2022.
“One of the buildings of the Institute of Communications was partially destroyed. People found themselves under the rubble. Many were saved,” Zelensky said in a video posted on his Telegram channel.
“All necessary services are involved in the rescue operation,” he added. He said he had ordered “a full and prompt investigation” into what happened. Zelensky didn’t provide any further details.
The missiles hit shortly after the air raid alert sounded, when many people were on their way to a bomb shelter, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said, describing the strike as “barbaric.”
Rescue crews and medics saved 25 people, 11 of them dug out from the rubble, a Defense Ministry statement said.
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A Russian missile strike kills 41 people and wounds 180 others in the Ukrainian city of Poltava
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A Russian missile strike kills 41 people and wounds 180 others in the Ukrainian city of Poltava
- The strike occurred in the city of Poltava, the capital of the region of the same name, officials said
- “One of the buildings of the Institute of Communications was partially destroyed,” Zelensky said
Brazil suspends dredging of Amazon river after Indigenous protests
SAO PAULO: Brazil announced on Friday the suspension of dredging operations on a major Amazon tributary, after Indigenous communities protested the work on rivers they see as vital to their way of life.
Hundreds of Indigenous people have been protesting for two weeks outside the port terminal of US agribusiness giant Cargill in northern Brazil to draw the attention of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s government.
They have been angered over the dredging and development of Amazon’s rivers for grain exports.
The government said in a statement that it suspended the process of contracting a company for annual dredging work on the Tapajos River in the state of Para “as a gesture of negotiation.”
Protesters have demanded the cancelation of a decree signed by leftist leader Lula in August which designated major Amazonian rivers as priorities for cargo navigation and private port expansion.
They also want the cancelation of a federal tender issued in December worth 74.8 million reais ($14.2 million) to manage and dredge the Tapajos River.
In addition to suspending the dredging process, the government promised on Friday to consult with local communities before proceeding with any work.
Hundreds of Indigenous people have been protesting for two weeks outside the port terminal of US agribusiness giant Cargill in northern Brazil to draw the attention of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s government.
They have been angered over the dredging and development of Amazon’s rivers for grain exports.
The government said in a statement that it suspended the process of contracting a company for annual dredging work on the Tapajos River in the state of Para “as a gesture of negotiation.”
Protesters have demanded the cancelation of a decree signed by leftist leader Lula in August which designated major Amazonian rivers as priorities for cargo navigation and private port expansion.
They also want the cancelation of a federal tender issued in December worth 74.8 million reais ($14.2 million) to manage and dredge the Tapajos River.
In addition to suspending the dredging process, the government promised on Friday to consult with local communities before proceeding with any work.
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