FD rejects Russian claim that Norwegian rockets hit a children’s hospital in Kyiv

Russia’s UN ambassador Vasilij Nebenzia claims that it is likely that it was Norwegian NASAMS missiles that hit Children’s Hospital in Kyiv Monday.

Nebenzia made the statement during a meeting on Ukraine in the UN Security Council on Tuesday, according to the Russian news agency Tass.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov claims the missile attack was planned to strengthen Ukraine’s position ahead of the NATO summit in Washington this week. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will attend the three-day meeting.

NASAMS is an air defense system produced by Kongsberg Gruppen in collaboration with American Raytheon. Norway has contributed this type of air defense system to Ukraine.

– Disinformation

Press officer Emil Bremnes in the Ministry of Defense says there is no indication that the Russian claims are true.

– Russia has shown a clear willingness to spread disinformation and falsehoods. Russia started the war and is using missiles on a large scale once morest Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure. Russia is solely responsible for the damage and suffering resulting from this war, says Bremnes to NTB.

Requires explanation

MDG believes that the Russian accusations are irresponsible and that the government must immediately inform Russia that these are completely unacceptable accusations.

– Norway must react strongly to Russia’s bombing of a children’s hospital in Kyiv, and demand an explanation for Russia’s sensational accusation of Norwegian responsibility, says Storting representative Rasmus Hansson (MDG).

The government was early on in condemning the Russian attack.

– It is very serious that the attacks have once once more hit civilians and civilian infrastructure. Russia, as a belligerent party, has a responsibility to protect civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law, Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide (Ap) said in a statement on Monday.