A Russian, daylight missile attack across five cities in Ukraine killed at least 36 civilians and severely damaged Kyiv’s main children’s hospital. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 30 of 38 missiles.
A Kh-101 cruise missile directly hit the children’s hospital in Kyiv, leading to urgent evacuations. The attacks also damaged 50 civilian structures, including residential buildings, business centers, and two medical facilities.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that its forces targeted Ukrainian military facilities and air bases, blaming any civilian infrastructure damage on Ukrainian air defenses. The claim was met with skepticism.
In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy promised strong retaliatory measures and called for a robust international response.
The attack occurred just as NATO prepares for a summit in Washington to discuss increased support for Ukraine, including a proposed $40 billion in annual military aid.
The summit starts on July 9 and runs through July 11. It aims to focus on reinforcing Ukraine’s defenses and ensuring the nation’s resilience in the face of ongoing military threats.