The missile that hit the children’s hospital in Kiev has sharpened the global picture of the war in Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelensky should now get what he has long been asking for: more air defense. Even from Beijing, unusually critical tones are heard.
When hospitals are turned into graveyards, there is an inhuman madness. The weakest are increasingly targeted in Ukraine. Russian missiles flew across the country on Monday.
People were blown out of their living rooms, hospital beds or workplaces and mercilessly torn to death. It is the heaviest Russian airstrike in months.
A total of 43 civilians were killed by rocket fire on Ukraine, Ukrainian President Zelensky said on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington.
Peking has the Finger of the Seal
The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting on Tuesday. Beijing expressed unusually concerned comments. The fighting has not calmed down recently, “but has intensified and there have been brutal attacks from time to time, causing heavy losses. China is very concerned about this,” said Beijing’s deputy ambassador, Geng Shuang.
As a veto power, Russia need not fear punishment; Moscow also chairs the council in rotation. Russia’s behavior was “a disgrace to the Security Council and especially to the presidency,” said British Ambassador Barbara Woodward.
“We are here today because Russia, a permanent member of the Security Council, the current president of the Security Council, attacked a children’s hospital — and even saying that sentence sends shivers down my spine,” said U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield.
Hospital director speaks of ‘hell’
The director of the children’s hospital that was attacked, Volodymyr Shovnir, also addressed the UN Security Council, describing the moment of the impact and explosion at the clinic as “real hell.”
A hell for which Russia does not want to be responsible. Moscow remains resolute in its version that the Russian attack was aimed at a factory near the hospital. A stray Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile then hit the clinic.
UN: Russian missile responsible
According to preliminary research by the UN Human Rights Office, the children’s hospital in Kiev was directly hit by a Russian Kh-101 missile. This is the conclusion of experts who reviewed video footage and directly examined the damage on the spot.
Ukraine is now hoping for more international support. “We will continue to work to protect our cities and communities from Russian terror,” President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on social network X. During his speech at the NATO summit in Washington, he quoted Ronald Reagan’s words: “The strategy for peace, though always simple, was: be strong enough, be determined enough, so that no enemy thinks for a moment that war can be worth it.
Zelensky’s words leave no doubt that Ukraine wants even broader support. Air defense is currently causing the biggest problems. NATO and its partners have already promised additional equipment. US President Joe Biden announced this during the ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of the defense alliance. A joint statement by the US and several partners also spoke of “additional” Patriot air defense systems.
NATO sided with Ukraine
In addition, dozens of tactical air defense systems – such as those of the Nasams or Iris-T type – should go to Kiev, the report said. “These systems will further expand and strengthen Ukraine’s air defense.” The joint statement came from the US, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania and Italy, among others.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
