Ukrainian officials have stated that on Monday (July 8), Russia launched dozens of missiles across various locations in Ukraine, resulting in at least 31 deaths and over 150 injuries, as well as the destruction of a children’s hospital in Kyiv.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky took to social media platform X to share a series of messages, alleging that Russia once again launched a large-scale missile attack on Ukraine, targeting civilian facilities in cities such as Kyiv, Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Slovyansk, and Kramatorsk.
Zelensky posted on X, “Over 40 various types of missiles. Residential buildings, infrastructure, and a children’s hospital have all been damaged.”
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko stated that the attack on the children’s hospital resulted in the deaths of two individuals, including a 30-year-old doctor, with 16 others injured, including 7 children.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia used the “Kinzhal” hypersonic missile in this attack, which is one of Russia’s most advanced weapons in its arsenal.
Zelensky emphasized that the targeted hospital is one of Europe’s most “crucial” children’s hospitals, which has been continuously “saving and restoring the health of thousands of children.”
Regarding the current status of the hospital, he noted, “Now, this hospital has been destroyed by Russia’s attack, with people still under the rubble, and the exact number of casualties is still unknown.”
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) stated that based on initial assessments, Russia targeted the Kyiv children’s hospital with a KH-101 strategic cruise missile.
The Kremlin did not immediately comment on this attack but maintained that the Russian military did not target civilian infrastructure.
The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that the targets of this attack were Ukraine’s defense factories and military airbases, and they achieved success in their mission.
The Russian Ministry of Defense also asserted, without providing evidence, that the footage of the destroyed children’s hospital provided by Kyiv was a result of “the impact of a Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile.”