KYIV - In a devastating daylight missile strike, Russia targeted the main children's hospital in Kyiv, killing at least 41 civilians and injuring over 170, marking the deadliest wave of air strikes in months. This brutal assault comes amid intensified bombardments across Ukraine, resulting in widespread devastation and a call for stronger air defenses from Western allies.
The attack on the children's hospital left parents holding babies in the streets, dazed and sobbing. Svitlana Kravchenko, 33, recounted the horror: "It was scary. I couldn't breathe, I was trying to cover my baby." The hospital, along with numerous other buildings, sustained significant damage as residents of Kyiv rallied to clear debris and search for survivors.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, en route to a NATO summit in Washington, reported a death toll of 37, including three children. Writing on the Telegram messaging app, he stated that over 100 buildings were damaged, including the children's hospital, maternity centers, nurseries, and residential homes. Zelenskiy emphasized the urgency of bolstering Ukraine's air defenses, saying, "The Russian terrorists must answer for this."
The Interior Ministry reported damage in the central cities of Kryvyi Rih and Dnipro, as well as two eastern cities. In Kyiv alone, 27 people were killed, including three children, and 82 were wounded. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko described the attack as one of the largest of the war, impacting seven city districts. Health Minister Viktor Liashko highlighted the extensive damage to the children's hospital, which forced the evacuation of children to other facilities.
The attack drew condemnation from global leaders. U.S. President Joe Biden described the missile strikes as "a horrific reminder of Russia's brutality" and announced forthcoming measures to strengthen Ukraine's air defenses. The United Nations Security Council scheduled an emergency meeting to address the attacks, and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, deplored the targeting of the hospital, calling it "abominable."
Despite mounting evidence and widespread condemnation, Russia's Defense Ministry claimed the strikes targeted military objectives, denying any intent to harm civilians. However, the International Criminal Court continues to investigate potential war crimes, with Ukrainian Prosecutor General sharing evidence of the missile strikes on civilian infrastructure.
Ukraine declared a day of mourning, with flags lowered and public entertainment canceled. The destruction has left countless families in despair and the nation calling for enhanced international support to prevent further atrocities.
As the NATO summit convenes, the international community faces increased pressure to respond decisively to Russia's ongoing aggression and to provide Ukraine with the necessary defenses to protect its citizens.