In a shocking escalation of hostilities, Russia unleashed a massive wave of missile strikes across multiple Ukrainian cities, including the capital Kyiv.
The attacks resulted in widespread destruction, with one of the most alarming incidents being a direct hit on Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital, Ukraine’s premier pediatric medical facility.
The assault on the children’s hospital was particularly harrowing. Dr. Lesia Lysytsia, a physician at Ohmatdyt, vividly described the moment of impact:
“It was like in a film” with a “big light, then an awful sound.”
The devastation was extensive, with Dr. Lysytsia estimating that “maybe 60-70% of the hospital” was damaged. The strike ignited fires and caused significant structural damage, necessitating an urgent evacuation of young patients, some of whom were critically ill and on life support.
Natalia Sardudinova, a senior nurse at the hospital, recounted the terrifying moment of impact, stating that,
“Everything was in smoke, there was no air to breathe. The doctor was cut by shrapnel. The windows and doors were blown out. One nurse in the hospital was heavily injured.”
Kyiv’s mayor, Vitaliy Klitschko, confirmed two fatalities at the hospital, including a doctor. He expressed grave concern that more victims might be trapped beneath the rubble.
The attack on Ohmatdyt was especially cruel given its crucial role in providing specialized care, including cancer treatment and organ transplants for children.
Devastating Strikes
The broader impact of the Russian strikes was devastating. Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to President Volodymyr Zelensky, reported a grim toll: 36 dead and 140 injured across Ukraine. The attacks were indiscriminate, targeting various cities including Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Sloviansk, and Kramatorsk.
President Zelensky took to social media to decry the assault, stating that “more than 40 missiles of different types” had struck Ukrainian territory. He called for increased international support, urging a stronger Western response,
“To the blow that Russia has once again delivered on our population, on our land, on our children.”
The attacks drew swift condemnation from the international community. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell accused Russia of “ruthlessly targeting Ukrainian civilians”, while UN Secretary-General António Guterres, through his spokesperson, described the strikes on medical facilities as “particularly shocking.”
As the conflict intensifies, Ukraine’s Defence Minister Rustem Umerov pleaded for urgent reinforcement of the country’s air defenses, stating,
“Our defence capabilities are still insufficient… We need more air defence systems.”
Russian Government Denial
The Russian government, maintaining its standard denial, claimed that the damage to Ohmatdyt was caused by fragments of a Ukrainian air defense missile. However, Ukrainian authorities presented evidence suggesting otherwise, including alleged remnants of a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile found at the site.
This latest escalation comes at a time of heightened diplomatic activity, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The attack comes as Ukraine continues to grapple with overwhelming securtity challenges, including a recent coup attempt in Kiev. The international community faces renewed pressure to respond decisively to what Mayor Klitschko described as an attempt at the genocide of the population in Ukraine.
