A wave of Russian missile attacks across Ukraine has resulted in the deaths of at least 20 people, marking a devastating escalation in the ongoing conflict. The attacks, which occurred ahead of the NATO summit, targeted various cities, including the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, where a children’s hospital was struck.
The mayor of Kyiv, Vitaliy Klitschko, described the attack as the “worst” on the city since the war began, highlighting the severity of the damage. In the capital, at least seven people were killed when a Russian missile hit the Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital, a facility widely recognized as one of the most important in Ukraine and Europe for children’s health.
The hospital’s cancer and intensive care wards were particularly impacted by the attack. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with doctors and volunteers working to clear the rubble and assess the full extent of the casualties.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was in Poland at the time of the attack, condemned the incident, calling Russia a terrorist state. In a post on X, he detailed the widespread damage, noting that more than 40 missiles of various types targeted multiple cities, including Kyiv, Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Slovyansk, and Kramatorsk.
Apartment buildings, infrastructure, and the children’s hospital were among the structures affected. Zelenskyy shared video footage showcasing the devastation caused by the attack, emphasizing the hospital’s significance as a vital healthcare facility. He stressed that Russia cannot claim ignorance of its actions and must be held accountable for the atrocities committed against the Ukrainian people.
In the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, at least 10 people were killed and 31 injured in the missile strikes, according to Oleksandr Vilkul, the head of the military administration. Ten of the wounded are in critical condition.
The widespread attacks underscore the escalation of violence in Ukraine, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the urgent need for international action to address the conflict.
