US promises air defense after hospital attack – DW – 09.07.2024

According to Russian authorities, a fire broke out at a substation in the southwestern Rostov region.

Rostov Governor Vasily Golubev said Ukraine launched dozens of drones overnight.

“As a result of an airstrike in Rodionovo-Nesvetaysky district, two transformers at a substation caught fire,” said a post on the messaging app Telegram.

He said Russian air defense systems had destroyed dozens of drones.

Rostov borders the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in eastern Ukraine.

US President Joe Biden said the deadly Russian missile attacks on several Ukrainian cities were a “horrifying reminder of Russia’s brutality”.

According to Ukrainian authorities, at least 31 people were killed and 154 injured in the attacks during the day. Among others, the Okhmatdyt children’s hospital in Kyiv, the largest of its kind in Ukraine, was hit.

Biden said in his statement that the US and NATO allies would announce new measures to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses.

“It is critical that the world continues to stand with Ukraine at this important moment and that we do not ignore Russian aggression,” Biden said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk signed a bilateral security agreement in Warsaw on Monday.

The agreement paves the way for a plan that would allow Poland to shoot down any Russian missiles fired at Poland while passing through Ukrainian airspace.

Meanwhile, some other allies of Ukraine reiterated their support after several Ukrainian cities were hit by Russian attacks.

White House National Security Spokesman John Kirby said the NATO military alliance would “announce significant new steps to strengthen its military and political partnership with Ukraine.”

He said US President Joe Biden would host an event with Zelensky and that there would be several “big announcements” this week.

Newly appointed British Foreign Secretary David Lammy promised to provide Ukraine with “iron-clad” support.

German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach also offered help to Ukrainian children affected by the Russian attack on the Ochmatdyt Children’s Hospital in Kyiv.

A wave of Russian attacks hit five Ukrainian cities on Monday, including the capital Kyiv. According to Ukrainian authorities, at least 31 people were killed and 154 injured in the attacks.

The Ochmatdyt Children’s Hospital, the largest of its kind in Ukraine, was hit in Kyiv, leaving Kyiv subject to the heaviest Russian bombardment in nearly four months.

The attacks sparked fierce criticism from Ukraine’s allies. US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller accused Russia of “deliberately attacking civilian infrastructure” and top EU diplomat Josep Borrell condemned Russia’s “(reckless) attacks on Ukrainian civilians.”

The UN humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, Denise Brown, stressed that hospitals are under special protection under international humanitarian law.

The UN Security Council is expected to convene a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the attack on the children’s hospital at the request of Britain, France, Ecuador, Slovenia and the United States.

Russia denied allegations that it attacked civilian infrastructure and insisted it hit military targets. Moscow’s Defense Ministry claimed the damage in Kyiv was caused by a “Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile.”

sdi/wmr (AP, AFP, Reuters, dpa)