KYIV: The United Nations (UN) on Monday strongly condemned the deadly Russian missile strikes across Ukraine, including the capital city Kyiv, saying “dozens of people have been killed and injured”.
Monday saw a devastating escalation in the conflict as Russian forces launched a barrage of missiles targeting several Ukrainian cities, resulting in the deaths of at least 31 people and injuring several others, according to Ukrainian officials. The strikes also resulted in severe damage to infrastructure and residential areas.
Denise Brown, the humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, expressed outrage over the latest wave of violence. “The week in Ukraine has started with another wave of deadly strikes by the Russian Armed Forces,” Brown stated in a strongly-worded statement. She emphasized the particularly tragic consequences of the attacks, noting, “It is unconscionable that children are killed and injured in this war.”
Brown underscored the importance of adhering to international humanitarian law, which mandates special protection for hospitals and requires all parties to protect civilians during armed conflict. “Under international humanitarian law, hospitals have special protection. Civilians must be protected,” she said.
Ukrainian authorities reported that among the sites hit was a children’s hospital in Kyiv, where a Russian cruise missile caused extensive damage, trapping victims under rubble and leading to several casualties.
Russia’s defence ministry denied responsibility for the attack on the children’s hospital, attributing the damage to a Ukrainian air defence missile. They maintained that Russian strikes were targeted exclusively at their intended defence industry and military objectives.
