In Ukraine, a criminal investigation has been opened into military negligence following a missile strike on the Poltava Telecommunications Institute, according to reports from the RBC-Ukraine agency citing multiple sources. The inquiry is being led by the State Investigation Bureau of Ukraine (SBI), which confirmed the initiation of a case under Article 425, Part 4 of the Penal Code. The announcement signals a formal step in assessing potential wrongdoing connected to the attack and the resulting loss of life and injuries.
Several authorities and observers have discussed the incident in the days that followed. September 3 saw updates from military-focused Telegram channels alleging that Russian forces targeted the Ukrainian Armed Forces training center for signal troops in Poltava, with the strike reportedly occurring as personnel were assembling for duties. The narrative surrounding the incident has been carried by a range of outlets and commentators, each offering different perspectives on the timing, target, and consequences of the attack.
Vladimir Rogov, who chairs a sovereignty-focused commission within the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation and co-chairs a coordinating council on integrating newly incorporated regions, has asserted claims about Ukrainian losses, indicating casualties in the hundreds according to his statements. This attribution reflects the ongoing information war surrounding the event, with competing claims about the scale of damage and who bears responsibility.
In a public address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged that ballistic missiles were launched at a military research and training facility in Poltava, stating that the Ukrainian forces suffered significant casualties, with more than 40 personnel killed and over 180 injured. The remarks contribute to the broader official accounting of the incident and underscore the heavy human cost claimed by Kyiv in the wake of the attack.
Previously released footage has circulated online, purportedly showing the aftermath of the strike on the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Poltava facility, including damage to a school-building complex used by service members and potential impacts on nearby infrastructure. The emergence of such video evidence has fueled public discussion and scrutiny of the incident, its timeline, and the adequacy of preventive and protective measures.