Russian missile attack kills 37 people in Ukraine and hits children’s hospital

The volley hit several cities, including Kyiv, Dnipro and Zelensky’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih. Rescue efforts across Ukraine were still ongoing late Monday.

On Telegram, the Russian Defense Ministry denied blame and said it had carried out a major attack on Ukraine, but denied that civilian infrastructure had been hit.

In Kyiv, the attack on the Ochmatdyt children’s hospital killed a doctor and destroyed a dialysis facility, Ukrainian officials said, forcing patients and staff to take to the streets. In a statement, Zelensky said he had instructed government officials to find a suitable hospital so patients could continue their treatment.

“Mere concern will not stop terror. Compassion is not a weapon,” Zelensky added, calling on Ukraine’s partners to take action. “It is necessary to shoot down Russian missiles. It is necessary to destroy Russian fighter jets where they are stationed. Energetic steps are needed that do not leave any security deficits.”

Newly elected British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called He called the attack “reprehensible” and promised in a social media post to “stand with Ukraine against Russian aggression.”

Monday’s missile attacks came amid diplomatic rows over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Zelensky met with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Warsaw, where the two leaders signed an agreement on security cooperation. At the same time, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban visited Beijing, where he discussed efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Ukraine with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Orban’s diplomatic blitzkrieg – which included stops in Kyiv and Moscow – has drawn criticism from Ukraine’s Western allies, who fear that a cessation of fighting would simply give Russian forces the opportunity to regroup and launch another offensive.