Devastating Missile Strikes Hit Ukrainian Cities
In a tragic escalation of the ongoing conflict, the Russian military has launched heavy missile attacks on multiple Ukrainian cities, resulting in significant casualties and widespread destruction. According to Ukrainian officials, at least 20 people are dead and over 66 injured as a result of the strikes.
Kyiv and Other Cities Suffer Severe Damage
The capital city of Kyiv was particularly hard hit, with the Okhmatdyt children's hospital among the facilities damaged. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that the hospital, one of the most important pediatric centers in Europe, was severely affected, with a number of victims still trapped under the rubble. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko noted that more than 50 people were injured in the attacks on Kyiv alone.
Other cities, including Kryvyi Rih, the hometown of President Zelensky, also suffered heavy casualties. At least 10 people were killed and over 30 injured in Kryvyi Rih, and significant damage was reported in the cities of Dnipro, Sloviansk, and Kramatorsk.
International Response and Support
In response to the attacks, international support for Ukraine continues to grow. The Netherlands and Romania have both pledged to send additional Patriot air defense systems to help Ukraine defend against future missile strikes. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba met with Dutch officials to confirm the delivery of these systems, which are crucial for the country's defense.
The NATO summit in Washington, set to begin on Tuesday, is expected to address further support for Ukraine. Discussions include the potential provision of up to six additional Patriot systems from Israel. The ongoing conflict and the need for enhanced air defense capabilities remain central topics for the Western defense alliance.
- The Russian military reportedly used over 40 missiles in the attacks, which were unusual in their intensity and timing, occurring during the day at the start of the working week. The strikes came just one day before a crucial NATO summit in Washington, where support for Ukraine is a primary agenda item.
- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has recently attempted to mediate the conflict, visiting Kyiv, Moscow, and Beijing. However, his efforts have been criticized in Brussels as a private initiative rather than an official EU Council Presidency mission. Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov stated that President Vladimir Putin is not using Orban to pass messages to US President Joe Biden or the NATO summit.
