Victory Chronicles-DAY 924

The European Union (EU) has expressed condolences to Ukraine following a Russian missile strike in Poltava that killed over 50 people and injured hundreds. In response to the attack, the EU has announced its intention to increase military support to Ukraine. The EU spokesperson stated that this attack is further evidence of Russia’s determination to continue its brutal war against Ukraine, deliberately causing casualties and widespread destruction. The spokesperson highlighted that Russia has been terrorizing Ukraine for the past two and a half years, carrying out indiscriminate missile and drone attacks on civilian targets. The EU expressed support for Ukraine’s right to self-defense and stated its commitment to providing military support, including air defense systems and ammunition. The goal of this support is to enable Ukraine to effectively repel such attacks and drive the aggressor back, thereby saving lives and reducing destruction in the country.

53 people were killed and 298 injured when Russians attacked an educational institution in Poltava, according to the State Emergency Service. Among the injured, 271 were reported to be in critical condition, while 25 people were rescued and 11 were successfully unblocked from the rubble. The report further states that five individuals are still trapped under the debris. Rescuers are currently working at the site. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine later announced that the number of victims had risen to 298. The attack occurred on September 3 when Russian troops launched two ballistic missiles towards Poltava. 

After a Russian missile attack on residential buildings in Lviv, rescuers have completed rescue operations. They managed to rescue 12 people from the rubble. Unfortunately, seven people died. So far, 64 people, including 8 children, have been treated in hospitals of the First Medical Unit after the morning shelling. 

Recently, 9 Russian invaders were captured by paratroopers of the 46th Airmobile Brigade. Thanks to reconnaissance, they discovered a hideout where an enemy advance unit was located. “The building was surrounded and taken under fire control. After some thought, the Russians made the only right decision in this case – to come out with their hands up and surrender to Ukrainian captivity. They saved their lives, and the 46th Brigade contributed to the exchange fund. Thanks to this, even more Ukrainian soldiers will be able to return to their homeland in the future,” the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said in a statement.

Russian forces struck civilian infrastructure and a military educational facility in Poltava City with two Iskander-M ballistic missiles, killing and wounding a significant number of people, as part of a wider strike series on the night of September 2 to 3.

The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russian forces launched three Iskander-M/North Korean KN-23 ballistic missiles from occupied Crimea, a Kh-59/69 cruise missile from Kursk Oblast, and 35 Shahed-136/131 drones from Kursk Oblast and occupied Cape Chauda, Crimea. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Ukrainian forces downed 27 Shahed drones over Kyiv, Odesa, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Kherson, Poltava, Chernihiv, and Sumy oblasts, that six Shaheds did not strike their target, and that two Shahed drones flew toward Belgorod Oblast and occupied Donetsk Oblast.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief General Oleksandr Syrskyi reported that two Iskander missiles struck a military educational institution and a nearby hospital in Poltava City, partially destroying a building at the Poltava Military Communications Institute. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated the strike killed at least 51 and injured at least 271. Zelensky highlighted Ukraine’s need for more air defense systems and interceptors and called on Western countries to lift restrictions on Ukrainian forces conducting long-range strikes against military targets within Russia as such restrictions inhibit Ukraine from defending against long-range Russian strikes. 

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told CNN on September 3 that only Patriot and SAMP/T air defense systems are capable of intercepting Russia’s ballistic missiles. Russian milbloggers celebrated the strike and amplified footage of the strike and its aftermath.

Junior Sergeant Oleksandr Pchola died on July 7, 2024, in the village of Zoryane, Cherkasy Oblast, while performing his official duties. He was two months shy of his 47th birthday.

Oleksandr Pchola was born in Nosivka, Chernihiv Oblast. He graduated from high school and chose to serve in the police. He served in the Ichnia region. He was a district police officer and later worked in the Criminal Investigation Department. He finished his career with a long-service pension. He loved to fish and relax with his family and friends in his free time.

In January 2023, he joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine and was trained as a senior rifleman. During a combat mission near Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast, he was wounded. After rehabilitation, he could not continue serving in combat units, so in November 2023, he was sent to serve at the Uman Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support.

“He was persistent, always able to achieve his goals. He was kind, sympathetic, and never refused to help anyone,” said his wife, Halyna. Oleksandr was buried at the cemetery in Nosivka. His mother, wife, two sons and two brothers were waiting for him at home.

*Oleksandr’s story on the Heroes Memorial – a platform for stories about the fallen defenders of Ukraine.

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