Russian Missile Attack Devastates Ukrainian Children's Hospital
Ukraine's largest children's hospital, Okhmatdyt, was likely hit directly by a Russian missile on Monday, according to a United Nations assessment. The attack has drawn widespread condemnation and has prompted NATO to bolster Kyiv's air defenses. The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine confirmed that the hospital suffered a direct hit, causing significant damage to the intensive care, surgery, and oncology wards.
Impact and Immediate Response
The attack resulted in the deaths of two adults and injuries to 16 others, including seven children. Ukrainian authorities have since moved 600 children to other hospitals. Images and videos from the scene show children with cancer receiving treatment outside the facility, highlighting the brutality of the attack. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and UN human rights chief Volker Turk have called for thorough investigations into the incident.
International Reactions and NATO's Response
The missile attack coincided with a NATO summit in Washington, where the United States and its allies agreed to deliver more Patriot batteries and additional systems to Ukraine. US President Joe Biden announced plans to supply new air defenses to Ukraine, emphasizing that the country will be on the front line for critical air defense interceptors. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for holding Russia accountable for what he described as war crimes.
Eyewitness Accounts and Further Developments
Eyewitnesses described dramatic scenes at the hospital, with one employee recounting the moment the missile hit while a heart operation was underway. The attack has led to a significant death toll across Ukraine, with at least 43 people killed in various cities. The UN Security Council has convened an emergency meeting to address the attacks, and international leaders have condemned the incident as abhorrent and a clear indication of Russia's lack of interest in peace.
