KYIV/UNITED NATIONS, July 8 (Reuters) – Russian missile strikes hit Ukraine on Monday, including the capital Kyiv, killing at least 41 people across the country. A children’s hospital in Kyiv was severely damaged, and some have criticized the attacks as a war crime.
The Interior Ministry said the cities of Kryvyi Rih in central Ukraine, Dnipro in central Ukraine, and two in the east were also affected.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a post that more than 100 buildings in Kyiv were damaged, including a pediatric hospital, a maternity hospital, daycare centers, businesses, and homes.
The government called it one of the worst air strikes since the start of the invasion and declared Tuesday a day of mourning.
The Air Force said it shot down 30 of the 38 missiles that were fired.
A video seen by Reuters showed the missile, which the Security Service of Ukraine identified as a Kh-101 cruise missile, falling towards the children’s hospital and followed by a large explosion.
According to military officials, 27 people were killed in Kyiv, including three children, and 82 were wounded. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said it was one of the largest attacks since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. Three electricity substations and the power grid in the city were also damaged.
According to Ukrainian authorities, Russian missile attacks hit the capital Kyiv and other areas during the day on the 8th, killing at least 36 civilians across the country. Photo taken at a children’s hospital in Kyiv (2024) Reuters/Gleb Garanich
Eleven people were confirmed dead and 68 wounded in the Dnipropetrovsk region, regional authorities said, while three were killed when a missile struck an industrial facility in the eastern city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region.
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that the attacks on that day targeted Ukrainian defense industry facilities and an air base.
Zelensky is also expected to attend the NATO summit in Washington from the 9th to the 11th.
The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the attacks on medical facilities, including a children’s hospital, “shocking.” The UN Security Council is meeting on the morning of the 9th at the request of the United States, Britain, France, Ecuador, and Slovenia, diplomatic sources said.
Ukraine’s prosecutor general said he had spoken to International Criminal Court (ICC) chief prosecutor Karim Khan regarding the attack and would share evidence with the court.
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Russia Launches Missile Attacks on Ukraine, Targeting Kyiv and Other Regions
On July 8, 2024, Russia unleashed a barrage of missile strikes across Ukraine, including the capital Kyiv, resulting in at least 41 casualties nationwide. The attacks drew widespread condemnation, with some labeling them as war crimes.
The Interior Ministry reported that the attacks impacted several cities, including Kryvyi Rih in central Ukraine, Dnipro in east-central Ukraine, and two other locations in the east. These missile strikes mark one of the most significant air assaults since the start of the Russian invasion.
Children’s Hospital in Kyiv Severely Damaged
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that over 100 structures in Kyiv were damaged, encompassing a pediatric hospital, a maternity hospital, daycares, businesses, and residences. The Ukrainian government declared Tuesday a national day of mourning, recognizing the severity of the attacks.
In Kyiv, the Ukrainian Air Force intercepted 30 out of 38 missiles launched by Russia. A video captured by Reuters showed a missile, identified as a Kh-101 cruise missile by Ukraine’s Security Service, descending towards a children’s hospital before detonating in a powerful explosion.
Military officials reported that 27 individuals lost their lives in Kyiv, including three children. A further 82 people were injured. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko characterized the attack as one of the most substantial since the full-scale invasion commenced in February 2022. The attacks also caused damage to three electrical substations and the city’s power grid.
Casualties and Damage Across Ukraine
Beyond Kyiv, Ukrainian authorities reported 36 civilian deaths across the country. In the Dnipropetrovsk region, 11 fatalities and 68 injuries were confirmed, while three individuals perished in a missile strike on an industrial facility in the eastern city of Pokrovsk, located in the Donetsk region.
The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that the attacks were directed at Ukrainian defense industry facilities and an air base. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his “shock” over the attacks on medical facilities, including the children’s hospital.
International Response and Calls for Retaliation
Addressing a gathering in Poland, President Zelenskyy implored Western countries to respond decisively to the attacks. He vowed to strike back once morest Russia. Zelenskyy is scheduled to participate in the NATO summit in Washington from July 9 to 11.
The UN Security Council is slated to convene on the morning of July 9 at the request of the United States, Britain, France, Ecuador, and Slovenia, according to diplomatic sources.
Ukraine’s Prosecutor General announced that he had engaged in discussions with International Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan regarding the attack and would be sharing evidence with the court.
Key Takeaways
The Russian missile attacks on Ukraine on July 8, 2024, represented a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. The targeting of civilian infrastructure, including a children’s hospital, elicited strong international condemnation. The attacks highlight the devastating impact of the war on Ukrainian citizens and infrastructure.
The international community’s response to these attacks will likely be a key factor in determining the trajectory of the conflict. As the situation unfolds, it remains essential to prioritize humanitarian efforts and pursue peaceful resolutions to the conflict.
