A Russian missile strike has killed dozens of people in the Ukrainian city of Poltava. Hundreds more are reported to have been wounded in what Ukraine's Ministry of Defence has called a "barbaric attack". We have the latest updates and analysis as the story unfolds. Today’s episode is presented by Victoria Derbyshire and Vitaly Shevchenko. The producers were Clare Williamson, Cordelia Hemming and Ivana Davidovic. The technical producer was Jack Graysmark. The series producer is Tim Walklate. The senior news editor is Richard Fenton-Smith. Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480 You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord
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Hello.
It's 923 days since Russia began its full scale invasion of Ukraine and there has been a massive strike on a city called Poltava in central Ukraine.
Here's President Zelensky.
I've received preliminary reports on the Russian strike on Poltava.
According to currently available information, two ballistic missiles hit the territory of an educational institution and a nearby hospital.
One of the buildings of the Institute of Communications was partially destroyed.
People found themselves under the rubble.
Many were saved.
More than 180 people were injured.
Unfortunately, many died.
As of this time, 41 people are known to have died.
This is massive, truly massive.
One of the deadliest strikes by Russia against Ukraine.
It obviously follows more than a week of missile strikes targeting other Ukrainian cities.
Now Poltava, and of course, a lot of people are wondering, could this be part of Russia's response to the Ukrainian incursion into Russia's Kursk region?
This is Ukraine Cast.
Ukraine Cast from BBC News.