France condemns latest Russian missile attacks on Ukraine

ATHENS

France on Wednesday condemned the latest Russian missile attacks on Ukraine.

“France condemns in the strongest terms the Russian missile attack that caused one of the heaviest human tolls since the start of the Russian aggression in Ukraine on 3 September, in the city of Poltava,” the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Noting that the strike followed massive aerial attacks on Aug. 26, 27 and Sept. 4, the ministry maintained that “Russian strategy aims to destroy Ukraine’s energy infrastructure as winter approaches, which is unacceptable.”

“France will continue to support Ukraine for as long and as intensely as necessary,” it added.

The death toll from Tuesday's missile attack on Poltava in central Ukraine rose to 53, the emergency service said Wednesday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said late Tuesday that 51 people were killed in the attack.

Zelenskyy initially said on Telegram that 41 people were killed and more than 180 injured in the attack, citing preliminary reports.

He said two ballistic missiles hit a Military Institute of Communications building and a nearby hospital.

Poltava Gov. Filip Pronin said Tuesday that the region will observe three days of mourning.

Russian authorities have not commented on the attack.​​​​​​​