Russia launched a barrage of missiles on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities on Monday morning, resulting in the deaths of at least 20 people across the country. The assault, which struck a key children’s hospital in Kyiv, marks one of the heaviest attacks since Russia’s invasion began in February 2022, according to city officials.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy reported that Russian forces fired over 40 missiles, targeting multiple cities and causing extensive damage to infrastructure, commercial buildings, and residential areas. Kyiv’s city authorities confirmed that seven people were killed and at least 25 wounded in the capital. Among the most affected areas was the main children’s hospital, where windows were shattered, and panels ripped off, forcing parents to evacuate with their infants amidst the chaos.
In Zelenskiy’s hometown of Kryviy Rih, ten people lost their lives, and 31 were injured, as stated by Mayor Oleksandr Vilkul. The eastern city of Pokrovsk also suffered casualties, with three people killed when missiles struck an industrial facility, according to the regional governor of Donetsk.
“All services are involved to save as many people as possible,” President Zelenskiy announced on the Telegram messaging app. He urged the international community to act decisively to stop the Russian strikes. Despite the mounting evidence of civilian casualties, Russia has consistently denied targeting non-combatants.
The attack coincided with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s unexpected visit to Beijing, where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss a potential peace deal for Ukraine. This diplomatic effort underscores the ongoing search for a resolution to the conflict, even as violence escalates on the ground.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko described the missile strike on the capital as one of the most severe since the invasion began. He highlighted the damage to the city’s primary children’s hospital, where the force of the explosions left parents and medical staff in shock.
“We heard an explosion, then we were showered with debris,” said Svitlana Kravchenko, 33, who was at the hospital with her husband and their two-month-old baby when the attack occurred. Though her baby was unharmed, Svitlana suffered cuts, and their car was buried under rubble. “It was scary. I couldn’t breathe. I was trying to cover my baby with a cloth so that he could breathe,” she recounted.
The latest attack adds to the growing toll of the conflict, which continues to inflict severe human and material losses on Ukraine. As rescue efforts continue, the international community faces increasing pressure to address the humanitarian crisis and seek an end to the violence.