A Russian missile barrage struck Ukraine’s largest children’s hospital in Kyiv on Monday, killing 36 people across the country in one of the deadliest attacks this year. The Okhmatdyt hospital, the main treatment centre for children with cancer, took a direct hit, leaving an unknown number trapped under rubble.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy vowed retaliation, stating on Telegram that “Russia cannot help but know where its missiles are flying, and must fully answer for all its crimes: against people, against children, against humanity in general.” The attack was part of a heavy bombardment on the capital, which Kyiv’s mayor described as one of the worst since the 2022 invasion.
International leaders condemned the strike. UN Secretary General António Guterres called it “particularly shocking,” and the Security Council will meet on Tuesday at the request of Britain, France, Ecuador, Slovenia and the US. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer labelled “attacking innocent children” as “the most depraved of actions,” while Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani termed it a “war crime.”
Rescuers and volunteers combed through the destroyed toxicology ward, where children with severe kidney issues were treated. Health Minister Viktor Liashko said it was unclear how many remained trapped. Nurse Maria Soloshenko described panic as staff rushed to move children to shelters, with some as young as 18 months taken off dialysis and evacuated through windows.
Russia denied responsibility, blaming Ukrainian anti-aircraft missiles. However, Ukraine’s Security Service reported finding wreckage of a Kh-101 cruise missile at the site. The attack highlights Ukraine’s air defence vulnerabilities ahead of a NATO summit in Washington, where new aid measures are expected.
