TRANSCRIPT
At least 50 people have been killed in Russia's deadliest attack in their war against Ukraine this year.
A further 271 people were injured as Moscow launched two ballistic missiles at a military institute in the Ukrainian town of Poltava.
While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy placed the death toll at 51, the emergency service says 50 people have died.
Mr Zelenskyy has ordered a prompt investigation into the strike, and says rescue operations are still going on.
Ukrainian, then translated "It is known that there are people under the rubble of the destroyed building. Everything is being done to save as many lives as possible. According to the information available at this time, this Russian strike has killed 51 people."
Ukrainian forces say military personnel had been killed, but have not specified how many of the victims were from the armed forces.
The foreign ministry added that the use of ballistic missiles, which hit targets hundreds of kilometres away within a few minutes of their launch, meant the victims had little time to find cover after the air raid siren sounded.
Russia is yet to comment on the attack.
It comes as Russia has intensified its missile and drone attacks on Ukraine in the past month, at the same time as Ukrainian troops have mounted their first large-scale cross-border assault into a Russian region.
As the conflict intensifies, Mr Zelenskyy announced changes to his government.
Ukrainian, then translated "Autumn will be extremely important for Ukraine. Our state institutions must be organised in a way that ensures Ukraine achieves all the results we need – all of us. To this end, we must strengthen certain areas within the government, and personnel decisions have been prepared. There will also be changes in the (Presidential) Office. I also anticipate a different emphasis on certain areas of our foreign and domestic policy."
The Ukrainian minister in charge of weapons production Oleksander Kamyshin has resigned in anticipation of another defence role, while three other ministers stood down.
These included Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna, the Minister of Justice Denys Maliuska, and the Environment Minister Ruslan Strilets.
The exit of the three ministers adds to the uncertainty around the government with at least five other ministerial portfolios vacant after sackings earlier this year.
Mr Zelenskyy and his political team are expected to fill the positions before he travels to the United States later this month to attend the U-N General Assembly, where he is hoping to meet with US President Joe Biden and his two possible successors to present a so-called victory plan that would coerce Russia into ending its war in Ukraine.
These changes come as Mongolia is being criticised for failing to issue an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin upon his arrival in the east Asian country.
An International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued last year against Putin obliges the court's 124 member states, including Mongolia, to arrest the Russian president and transfer him to The Hague for trial if he sets foot on their territory.
Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhiy Tykhyi [[hee-or-hi tee-kyee]] condemned Mongolia's inaction in a Telegram message:
"A heavy blow to the International Criminal Court and the system of criminal law. Mongolia has allowed an accused criminal to evade justice, thereby sharing responsibility for the war crimes."
The United States was also critical of Mongolia, where Vladimir Putin was meeting with his counterpart Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh [[huu-kah-gee hoo-les-ho]] in the hopes of boosting trade partnerships and economic cooperation.
U-S State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller says Mongolia has acted in violation of the U-N charter.
"We don't believe any country should give, Putin a platform to promote his war of aggression against Ukraine. We do expect Mongolia to adhere to its commitment and its support for the principles of the UN charter, including sovereignty and territorial integrity, and convey that those principles must be upheld around the world. We understand the position that Mongolia is in, you know, sandwiched between two much larger neighbours. But we do think it's important that they continue to support, the rule of law, around the world."
Meanwhile, Russia has launched a drone attack on Kyiv in the middle of the night, with air defence units engaged in repelling the strikes on the outskirts of the capital.
