A Russian missile hit a children’s hospital in Kyiv on Monday, part of a widespread aerial assault across Ukraine that left at least 20 people dead.
According Reuters, Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stated that rescuers were searching through the debris at Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital in Kyiv, with the number of casualties still uncertain.
“Russia cannot claim ignorance of where its missiles are flying and must be held fully accountable for all its crimes. Against people, against children, against humanity in general,” Zelenskyy said on X. “It is very important that the world does not remain silent about this now, and that everyone sees what Russia is and what it is doing.”
Kyiv’s military administration confirmed that the attack resulted in at least seven fatalities and caused damage to buildings in several districts.
Russian strikes also targeted Kryvyi Rih, Zelenskyy’s hometown, killing at least ten and injuring 31, according to Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the city’s military administration.
In the Donetsk region, missiles struck an industrial factory, resulting in at least three deaths.
“Russian terrorists have once again launched a massive missile attack on Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said. “Different cities – Kyiv, Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Slovyansk, Kramatorsk. More than 40 missiles of various types. Apartment buildings, infrastructure, and a children’s hospital have been damaged.”
Ukraine’s air force announced earlier Monday that air defenses had intercepted three Kh-101 cruise missiles over the Cherkasy and Zhytomyr regions.
The overnight Russian attack also included a fourth Kh-101 missile and two Iskander-M ballistic missiles, according to the Ukrainian air force.
Governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region, Serhiy Lysak, reported on Telegram that Russian forces attacked multiple villages using kamikaze drones and artillery, injuring four people and damaging several buildings.
In the central Sumy region, the regional military administration noted on Telegram that Russian aerial drones dropped explosives on three communities.
Russia’s defense ministry stated Monday that its air defenses had destroyed two Ukrainian aerial drones over the Belgorod and Voronezh regions.
The governor of Voronezh confirmed there were no injuries or damage.
Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized on Monday that the international community should work towards creating the conditions for direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
Xi made these comments during a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, as reported by Chinese state media.
Orban’s visit to China followed recent discussions in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which drew criticism from Ukraine and the European Union.
