SEARCH FOR SURVIVORS AS UKRAINE MOURNS CIVILIAN DEATHS AFTER DEADLY RUSSIAN MISSILE STRIKES

Tue 09 July 2024:

Ukrainians are observing a day of mourning following a series of Russian missile attacks on Monday that killed dozens of civilians. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported on Tuesday that 38 civilians, including four children, were killed and 190 were injured in these attacks.

One of the hardest-hit locations was Kyiv’s main pediatric hospital, Okhmatdyt, where debris from blasts fell on patients undergoing open-heart surgery. The roof of the hospital’s toxicology department, which treats children undergoing dialysis, also collapsed, forcing cancer patients to be evacuated onto the streets.

The attack on Okhmatdyt resulted in the deaths of two hospital workers and injured 16 people, including seven children. The search for survivors trapped under the rubble continues.

KYIV CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL HIT BY MISSILES AS RUSSIA UNLEASHES DEADLY BARRAGE ACROSS UKRAINEhttps://t.co/oqGAUlOYnq pic.twitter.com/7pEmMTN09N

— INDEPENDENT PRESS (@IpIndependent) July 8, 2024

Russia has denied targeting the hospital, claiming the damage was caused by fragments of a Ukrainian air defense missile. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated, “I insist, we do not conduct strikes on civilian targets.” However, Ukrainian officials reported finding parts of a Russian cruise missile at the site.

The UN human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine suggested the hospital was likely hit directly by a Russian missile. Danielle Bell, head of the mission, noted, “Analysis of the video footage and an assessment made at the incident site indicates a high likelihood that the children’s hospital suffered a direct hit rather than receiving damage due to an intercepted weapon system.”

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk condemned the attack, saying, “Among the victims were Ukraine’s sickest children. This is abominable, and I implore those with influence to do everything in their power to ensure these attacks stop immediately.”

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, speaking outside the damaged hospital, said more details about the wounded would soon be released. President Zelenskyy vowed to continue efforts to protect Ukrainian cities and communities from Russian attacks, stating, “The world has the necessary strength for this.”

In response to the attacks, Ukraine launched drone strikes early on Tuesday, targeting several border regions. Russia’s Ministry of Defence reported shooting down 38 drones, with falling debris causing fires at a power substation and an oil depot. The governor of the Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, confirmed one death, two injuries, and damage to several homes.

President Zelenskyy called for stronger air defenses from Ukraine’s allies, stating the latest assault demonstrated the need for measures that would leave no security gaps. The UN Security Council is set to discuss the attacks, coinciding with a three-day NATO summit in Washington, DC, where Zelenskyy will press for more military assistance.

The rescue operation after yesterday’s Russian missile attack continues.

As of now, 38 people have been reported dead, including four children. My condolences to all the families and friends affected by this tragedy.

190 people were injured and are receiving assistance. There… pic.twitter.com/T7kfLkggKx

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 9, 2024

US President Joe Biden described the missile barrage as “a horrific reminder of Russia’s brutality” and indicated that NATO would unveil new measures to bolster Ukraine’s defenses. The US is considering providing another Patriot air defense battery to Ukraine, which is seen as crucial for intercepting advanced Russian missiles.

The Kremlin criticized NATO, with Peskov saying, “NATO is an alliance that considers Russia an enemy, an opponent,” and accusing the alliance of seeking to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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