Ukraine war latest: 41 dead, 180 injured as Putin blitzes Ukrainian city

Strike shows Putin's priority is on Ukraine, not incursion into Russia

Military analyst Sean Bell says the deadly strike on Poltava shows Vladimir Putin's priority lies within Ukraine, not the incursion by Kyiv into Russian territory.

"It is not a great surprise that Russia is responding [to the Kursk incursion] by putting as many missiles it can into Ukrainian territory, not all of those appear to be against military targets."

Bell continued: "All of this coincides with the start of the school terms in Ukraine.

"Despite the fact Ukrainians have been pushing into Kursk, despite the fact they have been launching a lot of long-range missiles into Russia, it is pretty clear where President Putin's priority is at the moment - that is the 'special military operation' and seizing the area of the Donbas that he does not yet have."

Here's the latest territorial picture on the ground in Ukraine...

Zelenskyy's full statement on deadly missile strike - as he makes plea to West

The Ukrainian president posted this statement on X after learning of the strike: 

"I received preliminary reports on the Russian strike in Poltava. 

According to available information, two ballistic missiles hit the area. They targeted an educational institution and a nearby hospital, partially destroying one of the telecommunications institute's buildings. 

People were trapped under the rubble. Many people were rescued, but more than 180 were injured. Unfortunately, there are many casualties. As of now, we know that 41 people were killed. 

My deepest condolences to all of their relatives and loved ones. I ordered a full and prompt investigation into all of the circumstances of what happened. 

All necessary services are involved in the rescue operation. I am grateful to everyone who has been helping and saving lives from the very first moments following the strike. 

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 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. Eternal memory to all those whose lives were taken by Russia."

Protesters are only arrests as Putin visits Mongolia

As his forces bombard Ukraine, Vladimir Putin is on a visit to Mongolia, flouting an International Criminal Court arrest warrant that was issued last year for alleged war crimes.

He arrived in the country yesterday and in theory should have been put in handcuffs as he landed, because Mongolia is a member of the court. 

The Russian leader is wanted by the court for the alleged illegal deportation of Ukrainian children.

Instead, in a lavish welcome ceremony today, he was greeted in the main square of the capital city, Ulaanbaatar, by President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh.

A small group of protesters who tried to unfurl a Ukrainian flag before the welcome ceremony were taken away by police. 

More than 50 Russians outside the country had signed an open letter urging the government of Mongolia to "immediately detain Vladimir Putin upon his arrival" - but it is not quite that simple. 

Although Mongolia is a member of the ICC and is bound to detain suspects if an arrest warrant has been issued, it is a landlocked country highly dependent on Russia for fuel and some of its electricity. 

Our Moscow correspondent Ivor Bennett explains more here:

Missiles kill more than 40 people in double strike on Ukrainian city

Two ballistic missiles have killed 41 people and injured 180 in Poltava, central Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.

The attack - on an education and hospital facility - is one of the deadliest carried out by Russia since it invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

It happened this morning in the city of Poltava, which also gives its name to the surrounding region - around 70 miles from the Russian border and 200 miles southeast of Kyiv.

Medics saved 25 people from the building, 11 of which were pulled from the rubble, according to Ukraine's defence ministry.

"One of the buildings of the Institute of Communications was partially destroyed," Mr Zelenskyy said in a video on X.

"People found themselves under the rubble. Many were saved.

"All necessary services are involved in the rescue operation," he added. 

He said he had ordered "a full and prompt investigation" into what happened.

-SKY NEWS