Children’s hospital blown up in ‘genocidal’ rocket attack on Kiev, killing seven in Ukrainian capital – fears youngsters are buried under rubble
Russian missiles hit a children’s hospital in Kiev and killed at least three people elsewhere in the Ukrainian capital, authorities said.
Other cities were also hit by the attack. Another Russian attack in the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih reportedly killed at least 10 people.
The attack is the largest bombing on Kiev in months.
The daytime strikes used Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, one of the most advanced Russian weapons, the Ukrainian Air Force said.
The Kinzhal flies at 10 times the speed of sound, making it difficult to intercept. City buildings shake from the explosions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia had attacked five cities with more than 40 missiles of various types in a “genocidal” attack, and that people were also trapped under the rubble of a children’s hospital.
“There are people under the rubble and the exact number of victims is still unknown. At this moment, everyone is helping to clear the rubble – doctors and ordinary people,” the president wrote on social media.
Rescue workers work at the Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital which was damaged in a Russian missile attack, during the Russian attack on Ukraine, in Kiev, Ukraine, July 8, 2024
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia had attacked five cities with more than 40 missiles of various types in a “genocidal” attack, adding that people were trapped under the rubble of the children’s hospital. Pictured: People help clear rubble at the site
Smoke rises over the Kiev skyline after a Russian attack, Monday, July 8, 2024
A Ukrainian firefighter tries to extinguish a fire in a residential building after a rocket attack in Kiev on July 8, 2024
The attack hit the Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital in Kiev, Ukraine’s largest children’s clinic. There was no immediate news of casualties there.
Other cities, notably Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Slovensk and Krematorsk, were also hit by a brutal attack by dictator Vladimir Putin’s forces, with civilians clearly being affected.
In Kryvyi Rih, Zelensky’s hometown, ten people were reported dead and 31 injured.
The President was visiting Poland.
“More than 40 missiles of different types,” he said.
‘Homes, infrastructure and a children’s hospital were damaged.’
“Attack on Ukraine at a time when most people are on the streets. Crazy Russian terrorists,” Zelensky’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak posted.
“They are hitting the cities, where there were many people. They are hitting the children’s hospital. There are children. It is a terror that the world must see and respond to.
“This is genocide,” he added.
One of the targets turned out to be an unfinished business center near the Lukyanovskaya metro station in central Kiev.
In Krematorsk, Russian forces hit a machine factory, sending up a column of smoke.
In Kryvyi Rih, the administrative building of an industrial enterprise was hit.
The Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital in Kiev, known throughout Europe for its excellent quality, was hit.
Hospital director Volodymyr Zhovnir said a rocket had hit one of his buildings.
They organize the evacuation and relocation of everyone in the building.
Rescue workers work at the Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital which was damaged in a Russian missile attack, during the Russian attack on Ukraine, in Kiev, Ukraine, July 8, 2024
Rescue workers work at the site of a building damaged by a Russian missile attack, during the Russian attack on Ukraine, in Kiev, Ukraine, July 8, 2024
Black smoke rises over the Ukrainian capital Kiev on July 8, 2024 after the Russian attack
A source told the Ukrainian newspaper Pravda that there were victims in hospital.
Rescue workers were clearing the rubble, asking for silence so no one could hear what was buried under the rubble.
Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko urged residents to stay in shelters.
This is a breaking news story. More to come…