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Up to nine people have been killed and dozens injured in a “genocidal” attack on Kyiv which hit a children’s hospital, Ukrainian officials said.
The Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital was reduced to rubble as part of a Russian hypersonic missile barrage launched across different Ukrainian cities on Monday morning.
Across the country, 23 people have been killed and 67 have been injured, according to the latest death toll. In Kyiv, nine have been killed and 20 were left injured.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak said the attack was “genocide” carried out by “Russian terrorists”.
“They beat the cities, where there were many people. They hit the children’s hospital. There are children. It is a terror that the world must see and respond to. This is genocide,” he said.
It comes as Vladimir Putin’s troops have dropped over 100 deadly glide bombs on Ukrainian territory amid intense fighting in the east of the country, according to Kyiv’s military.
The Russian army used 111 Soviet-era KAB bombs – which are retrofitted with precision guidance systems – to attack Ukrainian positions and settlements over the past 24 hours.
Mapped: Russia launches massive strike across Ukraine
Why China is conducting military exercises in Belarus
The Chinese military has begun joint drills in Belarus that are being held over the next 11 days in Brest, close to the border with Nato state Poland.
The joint military exercises by two of Russia’s most important allies come after Belarus became the 10th member of the China-led Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) during its 24th meeting of heads of council in Astana, Kazakhstan.
Belarus’s government said the drills “will allow… the laying of a foundation for further development of Belarusian-Chinese relations in the field of joint training of troops”.
Ukrainian official slams ‘cynical’ Russian attack
A Ukrainian official has slammed the Russian attack on a children’s hospital in Kyiv as “cynical”.
Daria Herasymchuk, advisor to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky on children’s rights, told The Independent: “It is especially cynical that today Russians celebrate the Day of Family, Love and Loyalty. It is on this day that they have killed at least 20 people already.
“Family values are something they don’t know. Today they have destroyed many families. Mothers and fathers will not return to their children in the evening, and children will not finish their books of life.” “Have you ever heard a child screaming under the rubble? I have never heard anything more terrible! How long can the world just talk? Every country must act now.”
Pictured: A woman touches a patient near Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital
British ambassador to Ukraine ‘horrified’ by attack
The Russian attack on a Ukrainian children’s hospital in Kyiv was “barbaric”, the UK’s ambassador to Ukraine said on Monday.
Martin Harris said: “I am horrified to see that Kyiv’s children’s hospital has been hit in this morning’s barbaric attack by Russia on cities in Ukraine.
“My thoughts are with all who have lost loved ones today. The UK is stepping up its support to Ukraine to confront Russia’s appalling aggression.”
Russian attack on Kyiv one of the worst in two years of war, says city mayor
The Russian attack on Ukraine’s capital on Monday was one of the worst during the two-year full-scale invasion by Moscow, Kyiv’s mayor Vitali Klitschko said.
“This is one of the worst attacks. You can see it is a children’s hospital,” he said as he stood near a heavily damaged building.
Pictured: Children’s hospital damaged in attack
Children’s hospital hit in ‘massive’ Russian strike on Ukraine
A children’s hospital has been hit as seven were killed in a “massive” Russian attack on Kyiv on Monday morning, according to local officials.
The barrage was part of over 40 missiles launched at different Ukrainian cities, damaging residential buildings and infrastructure across the country, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Mr Zelensky said: “Russian terrorists have once again launched a massive missile attack on Ukraine. Different cities – Kyiv, Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Slovyansk, Kramatorsk.
“More than 40 missiles of various types. Apartment buildings, infrastructure, and a children’s hospital have been damaged.”
Russian attack kills ten in Ukraine, officials say
A major Russian missile attack on the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih killed 10 and injured 31 others on Monday, local authorities said.
Several hits were reported in the city, including damage to the administrative building of an industrial enterprise, they said.
The UK’s new aid package for Ukraine
The new Labour government has pledged to provide a new package of support to Ukraine, including more artillery guns, a quarter of a million ammunition rounds and nearly 100 precision Brimstone missiles.
Here is a breakdown of the aid:
A quarter of a million of 50 calibre ammunition – 90 anti-armour Brimstone missiles – 50 small military boats to support river and coastal operations – 40 de-mining vehicles – 10 AS-90 artillery guns – 61 bulldozers to help build defensive positions – Support for previously gifted AS-90s, including 32 new barrels and critical spares which will help Ukraine fire another 60,000 155mm rounds
Source: independent.co.uk
