Death toll from Russian attack on Poltava in Ukraine rises to 55

(Reuters) – The death toll from a Russian missile attack on a military institute in the eastern Ukrainian city of Poltava on Tuesday has risen to 55 after the rescue operation was completed, emergency services said on Thursday.

Moscow troops attacked the educational institution with two extremely difficult-to-intercept ballistic missiles, and Ukrainian officials said people barely had time to seek shelter.

Another 328 people were injured in the deadliest single attack this year, the emergency service added via the messaging app Telegram. Regional governor Filip Pronin said 27 people were in intensive care.

The rescue operation lasted three days but was then called off due to new air raid alerts, officials said. Experts are currently working to identify the remains of the bodies.

The Russian Defense Ministry said the attack was directed against soldiers and foreign instructors.

Ukrainian ground forces said military personnel were killed in the attack but did not provide details.

Moscow's troops have increased their missile attacks on Ukraine in recent weeks, attacking energy infrastructure and civilian facilities.

One day after the deadly attack on Poltava, Russian drones and missiles hit the western Ukrainian city of Lviv near the border with NATO member Poland. Seven people were killed, including four from the same family. Only the father survived.

(Reporting by Yuliia Dysa; Editing by Alistair Bell)