Russian Missile Strike on Children's Hospital in Kyiv Prompts Day of Mourning and International Outrage
A day of mourning has been declared in Kyiv by mayor Vitali Klitschko after a daylight Russian missile barrage hit Ukraine's largest children's hospital and killed dozens around the country. All flags will be flown at half-mast on municipal buildings throughout the city, said Klitschko in a Telegram post, and entertainment events will be cancelled. The strike marked one of the heaviest attacks on the capital since Russia's February 2022 invasion, resulting in the deaths of twenty-two people in the capital, including two staff members at the hospital and three injured children. The Ukrainian president delivered a strong message via the Telegram messaging app, demanding that Russia be held fully accountable for its actions.
In response to the strikes, US president Joe Biden pledged new measures to boost Ukraine's air defenses. He condemned Russia for the civilian deaths and damage caused, labeling it as a reminder of Russia's brutality. As world leaders convened for a NATO summit in Washington, expectations were high for the announcement of a historic aid package for Ukraine, which might include the provision of additional Patriot missile batteries. The Ukrainian president had earlier requested seven batteries, emphasizing the importance of ensuring Ukrainian skies are safe.
Western and UN leaders were quick to denounce the strikes, particularly the attack on Ukraine's main treatment center for children with cancer. British prime minister Keir Starmer described targeting innocent children as an act of depravity, while the Italian foreign minister labeled the strike a war crime. UN Secretary-General António Guterres and other officials strongly condemned the attacks, with the UN rights chief calling them abominable. The French foreign ministry criticized the bombardment of the children's hospital as barbaric, echoing sentiments expressed by the Canadian prime minister.
Eyewitnesses in Kyiv recounted harrowing scenes of children being evacuated from the hospital following the strike, with some infants requiring urgent medical attention. The chaos and devastation witnessed inside the hospital painted a grim picture of the aftermath of the missile attack. The UN Security Council is set to convene following requests from several countries to address the escalating situation.
Meanwhile, a fire broke out at a power substation in Russia's Rostov region after Ukraine launched numerous drones overnight. The governor of the southern Russian region, Vasily Golubev, confirmed the incident, stating that air defense systems had intercepted several drones. Tensions between the two countries remain high as the conflict shows no signs of abating.
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