On Monday, a Russian missile attack across Ukraine resulted in at least 37 deaths and more than 170 injuries. This attack is the heaviest bombardment of Kyiv in nearly four months.
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The Russsian missile strike partially destroyed Okhmatdyt, Ukraine’s largest children’s hospital. The attack killed at least four people and injured numerous others.
The hospital which is vital for treating the country’s sickest children saw damage to its intensive care units, oncology departments and surgery units.
The barrage targeted five major Ukrainian cities with over 40 different types of missiles. Strikes included a large children’s hospital in Kyiv, multiple apartment buildings and public infrastructure.
In Kyiv alone seven out of ten districts were hit with seven fatalities including two hospital staff members. Kryvyi Rih, the birthplace of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suffered ten deaths.
The Okhmatdyt children’s hospital, the largest in Ukraine was severely damaged. A two-story wing partially collapsed. Heart surgeries were interrupted, contaminating open chests with debris.
Cancer patients were evacuated to outdoor areas for treatment. Health Minister Viktor Liashko confirmed the hospital lost essential services like water, light, and oxygen.
Emergency crews and volunteers worked to rescue victims from the rubble. Protective masks were donned by many due to the hazardous conditions.
Volunteers provided food, water and emotional support to affected children and their families.
President Zelenskyy condemned the attacks addressing the need for the world to witness and respond to Russia’s actions.
U.S. President Joe Biden labeled the strikes as a horrific reminder of Russia’s brutality and called for continued global support for Ukraine.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the strikes as particularly shocking and an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting was scheduled to address the attacks.
Russia’s Defense Ministry denied targeting civilian infrastructure claiming the strikes were aimed at military targets.
The attacks coincided with an upcoming NATO summit in Washington intended to support Ukraine.
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Ukrainian military analysts said that the hospital strike was deliberate and aimed at increasing psychological pressure on Ukrainian citizens and leaders.
The Ukrainian Health Ministry reported that over 1,600 medical facilities had been damaged since the war’s onset with 214 completely destroyed. Kyiv’s infrastructure including three electricity substations was also severely impacted.
Videos from the scene depicted volunteers and security services sifting through rubble amid smoke billowing from the hospital.
Over 600 patients were evacuated with more than 100 transferred to other healthcare facilities. Intensive care, surgical and oncology wards were heavily damaged and the children’s toxicology department was destroyed.
Senior nurse Natalia Sardudinova described the moments of the strike detailing how children were quickly moved to safety.
Other medical staff shared their stories with surgeries interrupted and patients hurriedly relocated to safer areas.
A human chain of civilians formed outside the hospital to clear debris. Emergency services continued to search for survivors amidst the rubble.
UN human rights chief Volker Turk and other international bodies condemned the attack.
US President Joe Biden called the strikes a horrific reminder of Russia’s brutality and reaffirmed support for Ukraine.
Biden announced plans to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses in collaboration with NATO allies. European nations including France and the UK condemned the attack and labeled it a war crime.
The UN Security Council scheduled a special meeting to discuss the attack. Ukraine’s prosecutor general sent evidence of the attack to the International Criminal Court.
Further missile attacks hit Kyiv partially destroying a private medical center and residential buildings.
Ukrainian air defense managed to intercept 30 missiles, although the attack included advanced Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and other sophisticated weaponry.
The U.N. and the ICC has condemned the attacks as war crimes. The upcoming NATO summit is expected to discuss further defensive support for Ukraine including more air defense systems.
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