Russia-Ukraine War
Russian Missile Attacks Kill at Least 41, Hit Children's Hospital
The capital city of Kyiv bore the brunt of the assault, with at least 27 people, including three children that passed.
Kyiv, Ukraine - In a devastating series of missile strikes, Russian forces targeted multiple cities across Ukraine on Monday, resulting in the deaths of at least 41 civilians and injuring over 150 others. Among the hardest-hit locations was the Ohmatdyt Children's Hospital in Kyiv, the country's largest pediatric medical facility, which suffered significant damage.
The daytime assault, described as one of the heaviest bombardments in recent months, saw missiles raining down on seven of Kyiv's ten districts. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks, calling them a "brutal" act of terrorism and vowed retaliation. "The Russian terrorists must answer for this," Zelenskyy stated on the Telegram messaging app, urging Western allies to respond firmly.
The capital city of Kyiv bore the brunt of the assault, with at least 27 people, including three children, losing their lives. The Ohmatdyt Children's Hospital, a critical facility for treating children with cancer and other severe conditions, was struck by a missile, leading to the collapse of parts of the building. Rescue operations continued through the night as emergency teams searched for survivors amidst the rubble. Mayor Vitali Klitschko of Kyiv described the attack as one of the most severe the city has endured since the conflict began in February 2022. "This is a dark day for Kyiv and for all of Ukraine," Klitschko said, announcing that flags would be flown at half-mast and entertainment events would be canceled in mourning.
The missile strikes were not confined to Kyiv. Other cities, including Kryvyi Rih, Dnipro, and Pokrovsk, also reported casualties and extensive damage. In Kryvyi Rih, ten people were killed and 31 injured, while in Pokrovsk, three individuals died when missiles hit an industrial site. The Ukrainian Interior Ministry confirmed that 50 civilian buildings, including residential houses and business centers, were damaged across the affected regions.
The international community swiftly condemned the attacks. U.S. President Joe Biden described the missile strikes, particularly the targeting of the children's hospital, as "a horrific reminder of Russia's brutality." He pledged increased support for Ukraine's air defense systems, a sentiment echoed by other NATO leaders who are set to meet in Washington for a summit addressing the ongoing invasion. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk also deplored the attacks, highlighting the tragic loss of life, including among Ukraine's sickest children. "This is an egregious violation of international humanitarian law," Türk stated.
Eyewitnesses recounted harrowing scenes of chaos and destruction. Svitlana Kravchenko, a Kyiv resident, described the terror she felt as she emerged from a shelter with her two-month-old baby. "It was scary. I couldn't breathe. I was trying to cover my baby with a cloth so that he could breathe," she told Reuters. Lesia Vasylenko, a Ukrainian MP whose son had been treated at the Ohmatdyt Children's Hospital, expressed her heartbreak over the attack. "Russia today has chosen to destroy this place of hope. This place that was giving children back their lives," Vasylenko said.
The Russian Ministry of Defence claimed that the strikes targeted defense industry sites and aviation bases in Ukraine. However, Ukrainian officials and international observers have noted that a significant portion of the missiles struck civilian infrastructure. In a related development, Ukrainian navy chief Vice Admiral Oleksiy Neizhpapa reported that the Russian Black Sea Fleet has been forced to rebase nearly all its combat-ready warships from occupied Crimea due to ongoing Ukrainian attacks, rendering its main naval hub increasingly ineffective.
As Ukraine mourns the loss of its citizens and grapples with the aftermath of these devastating attacks, President Zelenskyy continues to call for international solidarity and support. The global community watches closely as the conflict escalates, with hopes pinned on diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the violence. The tragic events of Monday underscore the severe human cost of the ongoing war, with civilians, including the most vulnerable children, bearing the brunt of the conflict.