Russian missile attack on cities throughout Ukraine kills at least 36, hits children’s hospital

Over the next several days, all donations to Let’s Help (a fundraiser cofounded by Meduza to support Ukrainian civilians who have suffered from Russia’s war) will go towards supporting Okhmatdyt Hospital in Kyiv, Ukraine’s largest children’s hospital. At the time of this writing, within hours of Russia’s July 8 missile attack on the hospital, the project has received more than 10,000 euros.

Russian forces carried out a large-scale missile attack on Kyiv and other cities throughout Ukraine on Monday. At least 22 people were killed and at least 82 injured in the Ukrainian capital, according to the Kyiv authorities. In the entire country, at least 36 people were killed and at least 140 injured, according to Andriy Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian president’s office.

Falling debris from downed missiles damaged civilian infrastructure throughout Kyiv, including an office building, multiple residential buildings, and multiple vehicles, some of which caught on fire.

In Kyiv’s Shevchenkivskyi District, a Russian missile hit Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital, the largest pediatric hospital in Ukraine. The Ukrainian State Emergency Service reported that at least two people were killed and at least 10 injured by the hospital strike, while the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported at least two deaths and at least 16 injuries. According to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, seven of the 16 people injured were children. Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi reported that one of the people killed was 30-year-old Lviv native Svitlana Lukyanchuk, who worked as a pediatric nephrologist at the hospital.

According to Ukrainian Health Minister Viktor Liashko, children were receiving dialysis in part of the building that was destroyed. The hospital’s ICU and oncology department were also reportedly hit. 

Mayor Klitschko reported that patients are being evacuated to other hospitals in the city.

Ukrainian presidential communications advisor Daria Zarivna published a photo on Telegram showing a child who was injured in the hospital strike.

Andriy Yermak said that Russia “deliberately” struck the children’s hospital. “This bombardment targeted civilians and infrastructure,” he added. “Today, the entire world must see the consequences of this terror, the only response to which can be strength.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Telegram that people remain trapped under the rubble from the hospital strike. “Right now, everyone is helping clear the debris, [including] doctors and ordinary people,” he said.

Russia also targeted other Ukrainian cities. Explosions were reported in Dnipro and Kryvyi Rih in the Dnipropetrovsk region, Skadovsk in the Kherson region, and Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region.

Local authorities reported that at least 10 people were killed and at least 31 injured in Kryvyi Rih. “There were several hits, including on the administrative building of an industrial plant. The cleanup process is underway,” wrote Mayor Oleksandr Vilkul.

At least three people were killed in the city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region, according to Governor Vadym Filashkin. He said that other parts of the region came under fire as well but that he did not yet have information about casualties there.

Altogether, Russian troops launched more than 40 missiles at Ukraine, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “The Russian terrorists carried out a massive missile attack against Ukraine,” he wrote on Telegram. “Various cities: Kyiv, Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Slovyansk, Kramatorsk. More than 40 missiles of various types. They damaged residential buildings, infrastructure, and a children’s hospital. All [rescue] agencies have been engaged to save as many people as possible.”

Zelensky continued:

The Russian Defense Ministry, without providing evidence, blamed the destruction in Kyiv on the “falling of a Ukrainian air defense missile.” The agency said it launched an attack on Ukrainian defense industry facilities and air bases “in response to attempts by the Kyiv regime to damage Russian energy and economic infrastructure,” according to Russian state media. “The strike targets have been achieved. The designated objects have been hit,” the ministry said, denying that it carried out strikes against any civilian targets.