West condemns Russian attack on Kyiv children’s hospital

Western leaders and diplomats expressed outrage at the destruction of a children’s hospital in Kyiv by Russian missiles, one of the rare daylight attacks on Ukrainian cities on Monday that killed at least 20 people.

Russia has fired dozens of missiles at towns across Ukraine in a massive missile attack that has killed at least 31 people. The Okhmatdyt children’s hospital in Kyiv was hit and many victims were buried under the rubble, UN officials said.

City officials had previously stated that at least seven people had been killed in the attacks on Kiev.

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemned the hospital attack as “an appalling attack on the Ukrainian civilian population.”

Lammy, who was appointed Britain’s top diplomat last Friday following Labour’s general election victory, added: “Britain’s support for Ukraine is rock solid. We must hold those responsible for Putin’s illegal war to account.”

The French Foreign Ministry described the attacks as “barbaric.”

“The targeted attack on a children’s hospital can be added to the list of war crimes for which Russia must answer,” the ministry said as volunteers and doctors searched the rubble of the Okhmatdyt hospital.

“This is what Putin’s … willingness to negotiate and desire for peace look like,” the Foreign Office also said.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell reiterated the urgent call for stronger air defence in Ukraine.

“Russia continues to ruthlessly attack Ukrainian civilians… Ukraine needs air defense now. All those responsible for Russian war crimes will be held accountable,” Borrell wrote on X.

The UN strongly condemned Monday’s wave of deadly Russian attacks in Ukraine, saying “dozens of people were killed and injured.”

“It is unbelievable that children are being killed and injured in this war,” Denise Brown, humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, said in a statement.

“Under international humanitarian law, hospitals enjoy special protection. Civilians must be protected,” she added.

The Russian Defense Ministry said the damage was caused by a Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile and stressed that its forces had only hit the “intended” targets in the defense industry and the military.