Ambassador of Ukraine to Nigeria, Ivan Kholostenko, has condemned the recent Russian missile attacks, emphasising the ‘severe consequences and the terroristic nature of these actions’. On July 8, Russia launched a missile attack on several Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, Kryvyi Rih, Dnipro, Sloviansk, and Kramatorsk, deploying more than 40 missiles of various types.
In Kyiv, the missiles hit the Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital, a facility where hundreds of children’s lives are saved daily. The attack caused severe damage to the hospital, trapping numerous people, including children, under the rubble. The exact number of casualties is still unknown. Another hospital in Kyiv was also attacked the same day, indicating that Russia is intentionally targeting medical facilities and civilian infrastructure.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated, “Russia cannot claim ignorance of where its missiles are flying and must be held fully accountable for all its crimes, against people, against children, against humanity in general. It is very important that the world does not remain silent about this now, and that everyone sees what Russia is and what it is doing.”
Ambassador Kholostenko echoed this sentiment, saying, “The Russian army fights with children. So what is the difference between such actions and acts of terrorism?”
The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine confirmed a “high likelihood” that the children’s hospital in Kyiv took a direct hit from a Russian missile. Danielle Bell, head of the mission, said, “Analysis of the video footage and an assessment made at the incident site indicates a high likelihood that the children’s hospital suffered a direct hit rather than receiving damage due to an intercepted weapon system.”
Ukraine’s security service presented evidence showing that the hospital was struck by a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile, displaying images of fragments of the weapon’s engine. Despite these findings, the Kremlin denied involvement, attributing the damage to Ukrainian anti-missile fire without providing evidence.
The devastating attack has prompted millions of dollars in donations from inside Ukraine and abroad to support the affected hospital. Health authorities reported that eight children were wounded in the attack.
The United Nations Security Council convened on Tuesday, at the request of Britain, France, Ecuador, Slovenia, and the United States, to address the attack. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended a three-day NATO summit in Washington, seeking commitments from allies to enhance Ukraine’s air defenses and military support.
Meanwhile, Russian forces claimed the capture of the village of Yasnobrodivka in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, although Ukraine reported ongoing heavy fighting in the area.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a visit to Moscow, expressed his sorrow over the loss of innocent lives, stating, “The heart bleeds when children are killed in war, conflict or a terrorist attack.” His remarks were seen as an implicit rebuke to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
President Zelenskyy condemned Modi’s visit to Russia, calling it “a huge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts.”
Following the attacks, Ukraine vowed retaliation, with Russia’s Defence Ministry reporting the downing of 38 drones. Ukrainian drones reportedly targeted a Russian oil refinery, a military airfield, and an electricity substation in a joint operation.