Six Russian regions attacked: Ukraine strikes back after hospital bombing

Ukraine attacked six Russian regions with drones overnight, just hours after a Russian missile hit Kyiv’s largest children’s hospital, causing numerous civilian casualties.

The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement that its air defense systems intercepted and destroyed three drones over the Belgorod region near the Ukrainian border, seven drones over the Kursk region, two drones over the Voronezh region, 21 drones over the Rostov region and five drones over the Astrakhan region.

Governor Andrei Bocharov also reported a drone strike in the Volgograd region. He said falling debris caused a fire in the town of Frolovo and at an oil depot in the town of Kalach-on-Don.

Images circulating on social media showed a huge fire and a column of black smoke at the oil depot.

Newsweek The Russian Defense Ministry asked for comment via email.

The attacks followed Russia’s deadliest attack on Ukraine this year on Monday, when a hail of missiles hit targets across the country, including the Ochmatdyt Children’s Hospital in the Ukrainian capital.

At least 38 people were killed and 190 injured in the Russian missile attacks on Monday. A day of mourning is being observed in the country as a result of the attacks.

On Tuesday, the search was still ongoing for survivors trapped under the rubble of Ukraine’s largest children’s hospital.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said late Monday that nearly 100 facilities had been damaged across the country, including the Ochmatdyt children’s hospital, civilian homes, kindergartens, a maternity hospital, a college and a business center.

“A Russian missile hit Ukraine’s largest children’s hospital, targeting young cancer patients. Many were buried under the rubble,” Zelensky said.

“The rubble is still being cleared away in these places,” he said in a statement on his social media channels. He called Monday’s attack on the Okhmatdyt hospital “brutal” and described Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “bloody criminal.”

“Russian terrorists must be held accountable. Mere concern will not stop terror. Condolences are not a weapon,” said the Ukrainian president.

He added: “We must shoot down Russian missiles. Russian fighter jets must be destroyed on the spot. Strong steps must be taken to eliminate any security deficit.”

Russia denied attacking the children’s hospital and said on Monday that debris from a Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile hit the facility. Ukraine said Russia used a Kh-101 cruise missile to attack the facility. The Ukrainian security service said it had found debris from the missile.

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