In a devastating attack, Russia launched a massive missile assault across Ukraine on Monday, killing at least 20 people and injuring dozens more. The attacks targeted five major cities, including the capital Kyiv, where a children’s hospital was struck, causing partial collapse and trapping an unknown number of people under the rubble.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks, calling them a “terrorist act” and stating that residential buildings, infrastructure, and the children’s hospital were damaged.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene, working tirelessly to rescue those trapped beneath the debris.
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The missile barrage, consisting of over 40 missiles of various types, struck during daylight hours, causing widespread panic and destruction. The cities of Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Slovyansk, and Kramatorsk were also targeted, with reports of casualties and damage to infrastructure.
The attack comes as President Zelenskyy prepares to travel to Warsaw and then to a NATO summit in Washington, where he will likely seek increased military support from Western allies.
Russia’s defense ministry acknowledged the missile strikes, claiming they were a response to Ukrainian attempts to target Russian energy and economic facilities. However, they denied targeting civilian infrastructure, a claim that has been repeatedly disputed by Ukraine and international observers.
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The attack has drawn widespread condemnation from the international community, with many leaders expressing outrage and calling for an immediate end to the violence. The United Nations has also voiced its concern, urging all parties to de-escalate the conflict and protect civilians.
As the death toll continues to rise and the extent of the damage becomes clearer, the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine deepens. The attack on the children’s hospital has particularly shocked the world, highlighting the devastating impact of the war on innocent civilians.
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