The death toll in Poltava from a Russian missile strike on September 3 increased to 54 people, the State Emergency Service has reported.

"The number of deaths as a result of the Russian strike on an educational institution in Poltava has increased to 54. Another 297 people were injured," the State Emergency Service reported on thee Telegram channel on Thursday.

They noted that search and rescue operations are continuing, taking into account the safety component.

"In all likelihood, up to five more people may be under the rubble," rescuers said.

In addition, 1,760 tonnes of construction debris have already been removed.

Earlier it was reported about 298 injured and 53 dead.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russian troops had launched a ballistic missile attack on the territory of an educational institution and a nearby hospital in Poltava. One of the buildings of the Institute of Communications was partially destroyed. The President instructed to conduct a full and prompt investigation of all the circumstances of the incident.