On Monday, a series of Russian missile strikes targeted cities across Ukraine, resulting in a tragic toll of at least 22 fatalities and 68 injuries, as confirmed by officials.
The aerial assault, a rare daytime occurrence, struck Ukrainian cities during rush hour, including Kyiv, Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Slovyansk, and Kramatorsk.
Reports from Ukrainian authorities indicated that the capital, Kyiv, witnessed nine fatalities and 23 injuries, while Kryvyi Rih recorded 10 deaths and 37 injuries. In the Donetsk region, at least three individuals lost their lives.
Among the structures hit was Kyiv's Okhmatdyt hospital, the largest children's medical center in Ukraine, known for providing critical care to sick children nationwide. The hospital conducts approximately 7,000 surgeries annually, including treatments for cancer and hematological diseases.
Footage from the scene depicted volunteers collaborating with law enforcement to search through the debris, with smoke emanating from the hospital. Health Minister Viktor Liashko reported damage to intensive care units, oncology departments, and surgery units.
Natalia Sardudinova, a senior nurse, recounted the harrowing experience of the strike, emphasizing the efforts to evacuate children to safety amidst chaos. Yulia Vasylenko, a mother of an 11-year-old cancer patient at the hospital, shared the challenges faced during the evacuation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky highlighted the ongoing rescue efforts and the solidarity displayed by medical personnel and local residents in the aftermath of the attack. He condemned the strikes and called for global unity to halt further violence.
The assault prompted air raid sirens in Kyiv, with images showing evacuations and the transport of children to safety. International condemnation swiftly followed, with France and the United Kingdom denouncing the attacks as barbaric and depraved.
France labeled the strikes as war crimes, emphasizing accountability for Russia's actions. The UK's Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed sentiments of horror at targeting innocent children.
The world watches as Ukraine grapples with the aftermath of these devastating attacks, underscoring the urgent need for peace and security in the region.
