War in Ukraine - Kiev searches for children in the rubble of a clinic
One day before the NATO summit in Washington, nearly 40 people were killed by Russian rocket attacks in Ukraine. A children's clinic in Kiev was heavily damaged. According to the military administration in the capital, at least 27 people were killed and 82 others were injured. At least 11 people were reported dead and 59 injured in the industrial cities of Kryvyj Rih and Dnipro in southern Ukraine.
The strike on one of the largest Ukrainian children's clinics in Kiev left locals in a state of disbelief. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted a video on social media showing damaged hospital rooms and bloodstains on the floor. "Russia cannot turn a blind eye to where its rockets are flying, and must be held accountable for all its crimes," the president wrote.
16 injured, including seven children
Mayor Vitali Klitschko spoke of 16 injured people in the hospital, among them seven children. Two of the injured reportedly died. According to Health Minister Viktor Lyashko, departments for dialysis, cancer treatment, operating rooms, and the intensive care unit were damaged in the children's hospital.
Hundreds of residents helped rescue workers clear debris and search for victims. "Little cancer and dialysis patients are sitting on the sidewalk with their mothers," reported German Ambassador Martin Jäger on X from a visit to the hospital.
The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed rocket attacks, allegedly targeting Ukrainian military factories and airfields. However, numerous video recordings from Kiev showed that the damage was caused by a Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile, it was reported without proof.
The Moscow military dismissed the Ukrainian reactions as "hysteria of the Kiev regime," as they had often done before NATO meetings. Ukrainian reports suggested that another hospital in the capital was damaged on the other side of the Dnipro river.
Ukraine suspects targeted attack on hospital
Zelenskyy rejected Russian claims that the attacks were due to a Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile error. "What cynicism the scoundrels in the Kremlin brought out, that it was allegedly the Ukrainian anti-aircraft defense and not a targeted rocket attack that killed and injured many people," he said at a press conference with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Warsaw.
Zelenskyy thanked all those who had posted videos online "on which it is clearly visible that it is not just a part of one or another rocket, but a direct rocket attack that killed and injured many people."
The private power distributor DTEK reported damage to three substations in the capital. In addition to Dnipro and Kryvyh Rih, the frontline towns of Slovyansk and Kramatorsk in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk were also targeted. No reports of damage to military targets or factories were made.
Russia launched several dozen rockets
Russia reportedly launched several dozen rockets into Ukraine, causing widespread destruction and casualties. The attacks came just days before the NATO summit in Brussels, where leaders were expected to discuss the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine and Russia's military presence in the region. The Ukrainian government and NATO have condemned the attacks and called for an end to Russian aggression.
The Russian military reportedly fired more than 40 missiles during the attack, according to Zelensky's statements. It was unusual that the heavy attack occurred in the morning at the start of the work week. The Ukrainian Air Force reported 38 missiles and missile systems of various types, 30 of which had been intercepted. There had already been air raids using drones, missiles, and rockets in the night.
Ukraine has been defending itself against Russian invasion for over two years with Western help and continues to call for the provision of modern air defense systems.
According to the latest reports, Ukraine has received four of the particularly effective Patriot systems from US production. However, it needs many more, according to its own assessment. Another Patriot system is expected to come from the Netherlands, as confirmed by Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp and Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans of the new government during their visit to Ukraine. Romania is also offering another installation.
Kiev's Hopes for the NATO Summit
Kiev also hopes for further commitments at the NATO summit, which begins on Tuesday in Washington. In particular, up to six Patriot systems from Israel are being discussed. "We need means to protect our people," said Andrij Yermak, Zelensky's chief of staff, in an online press conference. He believes that Russia deliberately attacked before the NATO summit.
The question of supporting Ukraine is a central issue at the meeting of the Western defense alliance, which has existed for 75 years. Ukraine hopes for membership to protect against Russia, but no new steps are expected.
- Despite Russia's claim that the missile attacks were targeting Ukrainian military factories and airfields, the damage witnessed in Kiev, specifically at a pediatric clinic in Kiev, suggested a targeted attack on civilian infrastructure.
- Following the missile attack on Kiev, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of committing crimes and called for accountability, highlighting the damage to the pediatric clinic and the resulting casualties among children.
- Ukraine strongly suspected that the missile attack on the pediatric clinic in Kiev was intentionally targeted, as it occurred just days before the NATO summit and resulted in numerous injuries and fatalities, underscoring Russia's disregard for civilian lives.
