Russian missiles have struck a children’s hospital in Kyiv and killed at least three people elsewhere in the Ukrainian capital, authorities have said.
Several other cities were hit in the assault, with another Russian attack in the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih said to have killed at least 10 people.
The assault is the biggest bombardment of Kyiv for several months.
The daylight attacks included Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, one of the most advanced Russian weapons, the Ukrainian air force said.
The Kinzhal flies at 10 times the speed of sound, making it hard to intercept. City buildings shook from the blasts.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia had targeted five cities with more than 40 missiles of different types in a ‘genocidal’ attack, adding that people were trapped under the rubble of the children’s hospital.
‘There are people under the rubble, and the exact number of casualties is still unknown. Right now, everyone is helping to clear the rubble – doctors and ordinary people,’ the president wrote on social media.
Russian missiles have struck a children’s hospital in Kyiv and killed at least three people elsewhere in the Ukrainian capital, authorities have said. In shocking footage, a woman is seen carrying a young child, along side a medical worker. All three are covered in blood
A huge fireball is seen rising over Kyiv next to another smoke plume today
Rescuers work at Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital that was damaged during a Russian missile strikes, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine July 8, 2024
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia had targeted five cities with more than 40 missiles of different types in a ‘genocidal’ attack, adding that people were trapped under the rubble of the children’s hospital. Pictured: People help to clear the rubble at the site
Smoke rises over the Kyiv skyline after a Russian attack, Monday, July 8, 2024
A Ukrainian firefighter works to extinguish a fire in a residential building following a missile attack in Kyiv on July 8, 2024
The attack struck Okhmatdyt children’s hospital in Kyiv, Ukraine’s biggest children’s medical facility. There was no immediate word on casualties there.
Other cities – notably Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Slov’yansk and Krematorsk were also hit in a brutal attack from dictator Vladimir Putin’s forces that plainly impacted on civilians.
In Kryvyi Rih, birthplace of Zelensky, ten were reported killed, with 31 wounded.
The president had left on a visit to Poland.
‘More than 40 missiles of various types,’ he said.
‘Residential buildings, infrastructure, and a children’s hospital have been damaged.’
‘Attack on Ukraine at a time when there are the most people on the streets. Crazy Russian terrorists,’ posted Zelenskiy’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak.
‘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 added.
One target appeared to be an unfinished business centre near the Lukyanovskaya metro station in the centre of Kyiv.
In Krematorsk, the Russian Armed Forces hit a machine-building plant, with a column of smoke rising above it.
In Kryvyi Rih the administrative building of an industrial enterprise was hit.
The Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital was hit in Kyiv – famous around Europe for its excellence.
The hospital director Volodymyr Zhovnir said a missile had hit one of his buildings.
They are organising the evacuation and relocation of everyone in the premises.
Rescuers work at Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital that was damaged during a Russian missile strikes, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine July 8, 2024
Rescuers work at a site of a building damaged during a Russian missile strikes, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine July 8, 2024
Black smoke rises over the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv on July 8, 2024 after the Russian attack
A source told Ukrainian Pravda that there were victims in the hospital.
The debris was being cleared by rescuers who asked for silence to hear any cries from anyone buried under the rubble.
Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko urged residents to stay in shelters.
This is a breaking news story. More to follow…
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