Russian Missile Attacks Kill at Least 41 Including Hit on Children's Hospital, Reports Ukraine

Photo : Reuters

Russia launched a devastating missile attack on Kyiv's main children's hospital in broad daylight on Monday, part of a wider assault that struck multiple cities across Ukraine and resulted in at least 41 civilian deaths in one of the deadliest waves of airstrikes in recent months. 

The attack on the children's hospital in Kyiv caused panic and chaos. Parents holding their babies walked dazed and sobbing in the streets outside the hospital, where shattered windows and torn-off panels evidenced the destruction. Hundreds of Kyiv residents joined forces to clear the debris.

"It was terrifying. I couldn't breathe. I was trying to cover my baby with a cloth so he could breathe," said Svitlana Kravchenko, 33, to Reuters.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, speaking from Poland before heading to Washington for a NATO summit, reported that the death toll stood at 37, including three children, and over 170 people were injured. However, tallies from various attack sites indicated at least 41 fatalities.

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In a post on the Telegram messaging app, Zelenskiy stated that more than 100 buildings had been damaged, including the children's hospital, a maternity center in Kyiv, children's nurseries, a business center, and residential homes. "The Russian terrorists must answer for this," he wrote. "Being concerned does not stop terror. Condolences are not a weapon."

The Interior Ministry reported additional damage in the central cities of Kryvyi Rih and Dnipro, as well as two eastern cities. The Ukrainian government declared a day of mourning on Tuesday, emphasizing the urgent need for upgraded air defenses from Western allies. The air force stated that 30 out of 38 missiles had been shot down.

An online video obtained by Reuters showed a missile descending towards the children's hospital, followed by a large explosion. The video's location was confirmed through visible landmarks. The Security Service of Ukraine identified the missile as a Kh-101 cruise missile.

Kyiv's military authorities reported that 27 people, including three children, died in the capital, with 82 wounded in the initial missile volley and a subsequent strike two hours later. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko described the attack as one of the largest of the war, affecting seven city districts. The Health Minister noted that five units of the children's hospital were damaged, prompting the evacuation of children to other facilities.

In the Dnipropetrovsk region, officials confirmed 11 deaths and 68 injuries, while three people were killed in the eastern town of Pokrovsk, where missiles struck an industrial facility.

During a press conference in Warsaw with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Zelenskiy urged Western allies to respond firmly to the attack. "We will retaliate against these people, we will deliver a powerful response from our side to Russia, for sure. The question to our partners is: can they respond?" Zelenskiy said.

The missile strikes occurred a day before NATO leaders were scheduled to begin a three-day summit, with the war in Ukraine a primary focus. U.S. President Joe Biden condemned the attacks, including the strike on the children's hospital, as "a horrific reminder of Russia's brutality." He added that the U.S. and NATO allies would announce new measures to bolster Ukraine's air defenses.

Diplomats confirmed that the United Nations Security Council would meet on Tuesday at the request of Britain, France, Ecuador, Slovenia, and the United States. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, deplored the attacks, noting that "among the victims were Ukraine's sickest children."

Russia's Defence Ministry claimed that its forces had targeted defense industry facilities and aviation bases. Moscow has repeatedly denied targeting civilians, despite numerous attacks resulting in thousands of civilian deaths since the invasion began in February 2022.

Ukraine's Prosecutor General discussed the attacks with International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan, stating that evidence would be shared with the ICC. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov emphasized the need for more air defense systems from Kyiv's allies to protect cities from further Russian attacks. 

Air Force representative Colonel Yuri Ignat noted that it is becoming increasingly difficult to repel Russian attacks as they enhance their bombardment tactics. "Enemy missiles are equipped with additional means, including radar and thermal traps," Ignat wrote on Facebook. He added that the missiles flew at extremely low altitudes during Monday's attacks.

DTEK, Ukraine's largest private power producer, reported damage to three electricity substations and networks in Kyiv. The power system has already suffered extensive damage from targeted Russian airstrikes that began in March, leading to widespread electricity cuts.