New Wave of Russian Missile Attacks Hits Ukrainian Cities
Search and Rescue Operations at Hospital Hit in Ukraine’s capital city of Kyiv by Russian Attack via UNICEF Ukraine
Missiles Fired by Russian Forces
Ukrainian cities faced another barrage of missiles fired by Russian forces on Monday, resulting in dozens of casualties and significant damage, including to a children’s hospital, according to reports from UN humanitarian officials. Condemning the daytime attacks, the UN’s top aid coordinator in Ukraine, Denise Brown, stated that several cities were targeted, including the capital, Kyiv, as well as Kryvyi Rih and Pokrovsk.
"The attacks happened just as people were starting their day. Dozens of people have been killed and injured," said Ms. Brown, who reported heavy damage to the children’s hospital in the center of Kyiv. "It is unconscionable that children are killed and injured in this war. Under international humanitarian law, hospitals have special protection. Civilians must be protected," she insisted.
Civilian Casualties on the Rise
This latest development follows an alert from the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU), which noted that May saw the highest number of civilian casualties caused by Russian attacks in nearly a year. According to the HRMMU report, between March 1 and May 31, at least 436 civilians were killed and 1,760 injured. These casualties included six media workers, 26 healthcare employees, five aid workers, and 28 emergency services workers.
The report also highlighted that 91 percent of the casualties were in territory controlled by Ukraine, while 9 percent were in Russian-occupied territory. In the same period, Russian authorities reported that 91 civilians were killed and 455 injured in Russia due to attacks launched by Ukrainian armed forces, primarily in the Belgorod, Briansk, and Kursk regions.
Casualties and Damages
Reports indicate that at least 20 people were killed in Monday’s attacks. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that more than 40 missiles had been fired. In addition to the Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital in Kyiv, other public infrastructure, as well as commercial and residential buildings, were damaged in cities including Dnipro, Kramatorsk, Kryvyi Rih, Kyiv, and Pokrovsk.
📍Okhmatdit children's hospital, Kyiv
— UNICEF Ukraine (@UNICEF_UA) July 8, 2024
Rescuers, hospital staff, and volunteers clear the rubble and search for people trapped under debris after an attack this morning.
Children and hospitals are #NotATarget and must always be protected.
Attacks must stop. pic.twitter.com/moWxYHw5Eg
Humanitarian Response
Amid video footage posted online showing volunteers trying to clear the rubble and search for survivors at the hospital in Kyiv, Munir Mammadzade, the UN Children’s Fund’s top official in Ukraine, said that the agency was providing emergency water and hygiene supplies to the facility hours after the incident.
"Russia’s full-scale invasion continues impacting children disproportionately," he said. "We have received horrific reports of a children's hospital in Kyiv extensively damaged in an attack this morning, with reports of casualties. Children are #NotATarget and must always be protected."
International Condemnation
The international community has widely condemned these attacks, reiterating the call for the protection of civilians, especially children, under international humanitarian law. The devastation wrought by these missile attacks underscores the urgent need for a resolution to the conflict and the protection of innocent lives caught in the crossfire.
As rescue operations continue and the humanitarian response ramps up, the resilience and courage of the Ukrainian people remain evident in the face of ongoing aggression. The world watches as this tragic chapter unfolds, hoping for peace and security to return to Ukraine. The strikes in Kyiv, Kryvyi Rih, and Pokrovsk starkly illustrate the devastating human cost of the conflict and underscore the critical need for a united global response to terrorism and violence. For comprehensive and up-to-date information on the ongoing conflict and its impact, visit Info Decon to stay informed and take action to support those affected by this crisis.
References
Several Ukrainian cities hit in new wave of Russia missile attacks
REPORT ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN UKRAINE 1 March – 31 May 2024
