News on the war in Russia and Ukraine: Nine dead in “genocidal” hypersonic missile attack on children’s hospital in Kyiv

A Ukrainian politician has described the Russian attack on a children’s hospital in Kyiv as “cynical”.

Daria Herasymchuk, adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on children’s rights, said The Independent: “It is especially cynical that today the Russians are celebrating the Day of Family, Love and Loyalty. On this day they have already killed at least 20 people.

“They don’t know family values. Today they have destroyed many families. Mothers and fathers don’t return to their children in the evening and children don’t finish their book of life.” “Have you ever heard a child screaming under the rubble? I’ve never heard anything more terrible! How long can the world just talk? Every country must act now.”

The Russian attack on a Ukrainian children’s hospital in Kiev was “barbaric,” the British ambassador to Ukraine said on Monday.

Martin Harris said: “I am appalled that the children’s hospital in Kyiv has been hit in Russia’s barbaric attack on Ukrainian cities this morning.

“My thoughts are with everyone who has lost loved ones today. The UK is stepping up its support for Ukraine to counter Russia’s appalling aggression.”

The Russian attack on the Ukrainian capital on Monday was one of the heaviest during the two-year-long large-scale invasion of Moscow, said Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko.

“This is one of the worst attacks. You can see that it is a children’s hospital,” he said, standing next to a badly damaged building.

A children’s hospital was hit and seven people were killed in a “massive” Russian attack on Kyiv on Monday morning, local authorities said.

The rocket attack was part of more than 40 rockets fired at various Ukrainian cities, damaging residential buildings and infrastructure across the country, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Mr Zelensky said: “Russian terrorists have once again launched a massive missile attack on Ukraine. In various cities – Kyiv, Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Sloviansk, Kramatorsk.”

“More than 40 rockets of various types. Residential buildings, infrastructure and a children’s hospital were damaged.”

Ten people were killed and 31 injured in a heavy Russian missile attack on the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih on Monday, local authorities said.

Several impacts were reported in the city, including damage to the administrative building of an industrial company, it said.

The new Labour government has promised Ukraine a new aid package that will include additional artillery guns, a quarter of a million rounds of ammunition and almost 100 Brimstone precision missiles.

Here is a breakdown of the help:

A quarter of a million .50 caliber ammunition – 90 Brimstone anti-tank missiles – 50 small military boats to support river and coastal operations – 40 mine-clearing vehicles – 10 AS-90 artillery guns – 61 bulldozers to build defensive positions – Support for previously donated AS-90s, including 32 new barrels and key spare parts that will help Ukraine fire an additional 60,000 155mm shells

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban will attend the NATO summit in Washington this week, his government office said.

Mr Orban said on Monday that he would travel to Washington after discussing a Chinese peace plan for Ukraine in Beijing, China.

His previously unannounced visit followed similar trips to Moscow and Kyiv last week, where he suggested that Ukraine agree to an immediate ceasefire with Russia.

His visit to Moscow was condemned by Kiev and European heads of state and government. “The number of countries that can talk to both warring parties is decreasing,” Orbán said. “Hungary is slowly becoming the only country in Europe that can talk to everyone.”

Chinese soldiers have landed in Belarus to take part in military “anti-terror” exercises on the border with Poland.

The Belarusian Defense Ministry said the 11-day “joint anti-terrorist exercise” would begin on Monday and would “improve coordination between Belarusian and Chinese units.” According to Chinese media, the exercises would take place in Brest on the Polish border.

Photos taken Saturday from Baranovichi air base, about 100 miles southwest of Minsk, showed Chinese soldiers wearing field caps unloading equipment from a single Xian Y-20, a heavy strategic transport aircraft nicknamed “Chubby Girl.”