Situation at a glance - World Security Council discusses Russian attacks on Kiev
In the aftermath of the latest Russian rocket attacks on Ukrainian cities resulting in dozens of fatalities, Moscow once again finds itself under scrutiny from the international community. The UN Security Council is set to convene in an emergency session to address the attacks, which included the damaging of a children's clinic in Kiev. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, condemned the Russian rocket attacks and called for those responsible to be held accountable.
More than three dozen people were killed and over 140 were injured in attacks on Kiev and Dnipro. According to military administration reports, at least 27 people were killed in the capital, including three children, and 82 were injured. In Dnipro, eleven fatalities and 59 injuries were reported. President Volodymyr Zelensky presented different figures on the platform X - he spoke of a total of 37 fatalities and 170 injuries, among them 13 children.
Since Russia holds veto power in the Security Council, a unanimous condemnation of the actions of the Russian armed forces is not expected. "We must hold Russia accountable for terror and Putin for the orders to carry out the attacks," Zelensky demanded during a visit to Warsaw. "Whenever someone tries to speak with him about peace, Russia responds with attacks on residential buildings and hospitals."
Meanwhile, cleanup efforts were underway at the damaged children's clinic in Kiev. Hundreds of residents helped firefighters search for more victims and clear the debris. US President Joe Biden called the attacks "a grim reminder of Russia's brutality." It is crucial that the world stands with Ukraine at this important moment, he urged.
UN Human Rights Chief Condemns Russian Attack on Hospital
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Turk, condemned the rocket attacks. "Among the victims were the sickest children of Ukraine," he said in Geneva. Shockingly, the intensive care unit of the largest children's hospital in Ukraine was severely damaged, and the dialysis department was destroyed. "This is abhorrent," said Turk. "Anyone with influence must do everything to make these attacks stop immediately."
According to Turk's reports, at least seven civilians were killed by falling debris from a rocket that hit one of the largest women's health centers in Ukraine.
The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed rocket attacks, which were allegedly targeting Ukrainian weapons factories and military airfields. Several video clips from Kiev showed, from the Russian perspective, that the damage was caused by a Ukrainian air defense rocket, without providing evidence. The Ukrainians' shock over the attack was dismissed by the Moscow military as "hysteria of the Kiev regime," as they often show at NATO meetings.
NATO Summit in Washington begins
With celebrations for NATO's 75th anniversary, a three-day summit of the alliance begins in Washington D.C. At this high-level meeting in the US capital, the heads of state and government of the 32 member countries will discuss the expansion and defense, as well as further support for Ukraine.
Guests expected at the summit include German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and other heads of state and government. The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is also expected to attend. The host is US President Joe Biden, who is in the heated phase of his re-election campaign.
Ukraine hopes for further support from the NATO summit in its defense against Russian military aggression. However, an approach to membership in the alliance is not to be expected, as several summit participants have already announced before the meeting. However, Kiev hopes for commitments regarding the delivery of additional air defense systems to strengthen its shield against Russian air attacks.
Recently, discussions have been held about the delivery of up to six Patriot air defense systems from Israel, which are to be overhauled in the US before delivery. "We need means to protect our people," said Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy's chief of staff, in an online press conference. He believes that Russia deliberately attacked before the NATO summit.
Putin meets Modi
Meanwhile, in Moscow, Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are meeting for the official part of their talks. Both sides want above all to deepen their economic relations.
According to Russian sources, discussions will also take place about Russia's invasion in Ukraine. It was unclear whether the devastating Russian missile attack on a children's clinic would also be discussed.
India is increasingly intensifying trade with the resource giant and has become a major importer of Russian oil. Russian media reported in the past few days that this visit by Modi after his re-election is a special sign of respect for India's relations with Russia. Russia is an important energy supplier for India.
- The UN Security Council will convene in an emergency session over the Russian rocket attacks on Ukrainian cities, including a children's clinic in Kiev.
- Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, condemned the rocket attacks and called for accountability, citing the damage to the children's clinic in Kiev.
- President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Warsaw and demanded that Russia be held accountable for the attacks on residential buildings and hospitals.
- In Kiev, cleanup efforts were underway at the damaged children's clinic, with hundreds of residents helping in the search for victims and debris clearance.
- Joe Biden, the US President, called the attacks a grim reminder of Russia's brutality and urged the world to stand with Ukraine.
- Volker Turk reported that at least seven civilians were killed by falling debris from a rocket that hit a women's health center in Ukraine.
- The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed rocket attacks, but accused Ukrainian air defense systems of causing the damage, a claim dismissed by the Ukrainians as "hysteria."
- A NATO summit began in Washington D.C., with leaders discussing expansion, defense, and support for Ukraine in the face of Russian military aggression.
- Kiev hoped for commitments regarding the delivery of additional air defense systems at the NATO summit to strengthen its shield against Russian air attacks.
- Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met in Moscow, with discussions on Russia's invasion in Ukraine reportedly on the agenda, though its impact on the children's clinic was unclear.
