At least 31 people have been killed and 112 wounded in a series of Russian missile attacks across Ukraine, marking the deadliest escalation in months.
In a tragic incident, a missile struck a children’s hospital in the capital city of Kyiv on Monday, trapping numerous victims under debris. Rescue efforts at Okhmatdyt National Children’s Specialised Hospital were frantic, with volunteers and medical personnel working tirelessly to locate survivors amidst the rubble.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks, revealing that Russian forces had launched over 40 missiles targeting cities primarily in the south, east, and Kyiv regions.
The strikes coincided with Zelenskyy’s visit to Warsaw before his scheduled attendance at the NATO summit in Washington, DC, where he aimed to appeal for increased military assistance from allied nations.
Natalia Svidler, who was at the hospital with her two-year-old son awaiting surgery, recounted the harrowing experience: “The nurses told us to take shelter in the basement. Shortly after, there was a tremendous explosion, and part of the basement ceiling collapsed,” she told AFP.
The onslaught also severely impacted Ukraine’s infrastructure. Ukrainian energy operator DTEK reported the destruction of three electrical substations, further diminishing the country’s energy production capabilities.
In Zelenskyy’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih, which has faced repeated attacks, the strikes killed at least ten people and injured over 40, according to local officials.
While the Kremlin did not immediately comment on the attacks, it maintains that Russian forces do not target civilian infrastructure despite mounting evidence to the contrary.
The assaults underscored the intensifying conflict in Ukraine, prompting international outcry and renewed calls for diplomatic intervention to halt the violence.
