Kavita Bisht
The latest Russian missile attacks on major cities in Ukraine have claimed many lives and properties, particularly the Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital in Kyiv that was badly hit. The attack, which killed 36 people and injured 140 more, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak, has been condemned and has prompted calls for more action by the international community.
Among those is the Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital that is Ukraine’s largest pediatric facility, famous for its intensive care department, including cancer and transplanted organs treatment, which was significantly affected by the bombardment. As one of the witnesses of the tragedy, a physician, Lesia Lysytsia described the scene as very similar to cinematic imagery – bright flares and an extremely loud explosion. She said that her report records massive devastation across 60-70% of the hospital area and fire was spotted in certain parts.
Unfortunately, amongst the numbers are two adults with one of them being a medical practitioner; several others have been trapped under the debris, and the situation is made worse as people with critical health issues cannot escape due to the building collapses. That vivid picture of the major disaster depicted children intubated shocked to ICU, lying on beds connected to IV drips, being wheeled out during the disaster.
The mayor of the capital, Kyiv Vitaliy Klitschko, who was clearly stirred by the level of ruthlessness demonstrated by the invaders, held Russia responsible for deliberately destroying civilian facilities and claimed that Moscow was trying to wipe out Ukrainians. He also added that a maternity hospital in Kyiv’s Dniprovskyi district was also affected by the debris’ collapse and reported seven deaths.
Elaborating Mayor Klitschko’s sentiments, president Zelensky openly posted on social media protesting the attack and confirming that over forty missiles of various types targeted cities in the country including Kiriv, Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Sloviansk, and Kramatorsk. An emotional appeal for a strong Western reaction highlighted the need to stop Russia’s actions and save Ukrainian civilians, particularly children and hospitals.
During the turmoil, the leaders of other nations were seventy and sympathetic toward Ukraine. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell accused Russia of mercilessly bombarding civilians stating that, under the international humanitarian law, such attacks should not be occurring. The New UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy informed the public and decried against leaders who are behind perpetuating Putin’s unlawful war.
UN secretary general, António Guterres also condemned the attack and categorized the strikes as attacking civil structures as particularly harrowing and stressed that attacking noncombatants is prohibited by law and is sinful. Thus, the UN human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine pointed to an alarming trend of increased civilian losses due to the Russian aviation crews’ intensified activity in recent months.
As the global audience continues looking for answers to the aftermath of this latest provocation, the demands for increased military support to Ukraine have grown louder. The Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov later on urgently requested additional air defence systems, noting the inefficiency of the current air defenses against the combat application of modern weaponry by Russia.
The dreadful attack on Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital shows the actual price that people pay during war and it is essential to launch more powerful and consistent efforts at the international levels for saving the harmless victims and returning to the principles of humane laws. With the continuation of the conflict people around the world wait for a better outcome of the situation in Ukraine.
