Two people were killed and residential buildings were on fire in Lviv, officials reported, as Ukraine’s military said Russia had launched missiles and drones on Wednesday morning against the western Ukrainian city as well as the capital, Kyiv. Neighbouring Poland activated aircraft on Wednesday for the third time in eight days “due to the observed activity of the long-range aviation of the Russian Federation carrying out strikes”, said its military command.
It came as Ukrainians reeled from Russian missiles hitting a military training institute and a nearby hospital in the city of Poltava, killing at least 51 people and injuring more than 200 others, on Tuesday. Shaun Walker and Peter Beaumont write that one of the deadliest attacks of the war took place about 200 miles (320km) south-east of Kyiv, far from the frontlines. In the aftermath, bodies, some in uniforms, lay on the ground covered in dust and debris. Service personnel were among the casualties at the Military Institute of Communications, the officials confirmed.
A reshuffle of Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s government began on Tuesday as several Ukrainian ministers resigned ahead of their expected replacement, while a presidential aide was dismissed. Iryna Vereshchuk, a deputy prime minister and minister for reintegration, wrote online: “Rebooting … after almost three years in the government, [I submitted my] resignation today. I thank the president for his trust, thank you to the prime minister and members of the government for their cooperation … Thanks to the team of the ministry of reintegration for their work and dedication!”
Zelensky said in his evening address that changes would be made to strengthen the government. “The autumn will be extremely important for Ukraine. And our state institutions must be set up so that Ukraine achieves all the results that we need … We must strengthen some areas in the government, and personnel decisions have been prepared.” David Arakhamia, the head of the ruling Servant of the People party’s parliamentary faction, said on Tuesday: “As promised, a major government reset can be expected this week. More than 50% of the cabinet of ministers’ staff will be changed. Tomorrow we will have a day of dismissals, and the day after that a day of appointments.”
Oleksandr Kamyshin, the minister for weapons production, also resigned in anticipation of another defence role. Olha Stefanishyna, another deputy PM, stood down, along with others. Zelenskiy by decree dismissed Rostyslav Shurma, one of his deputy chiefs of staff, who held an economic portfolio.
