By D. W. G. Kalani Tharanga, JadeTimes News
Destruction and Casualties at Ohmatdyt Children's Hospital
In a heart wrenching attack, Kyiv’s Ohmatdyt Children's Hospital, the largest pediatric facility in Ukraine, was severely damaged during a wave of Russian missile strikes across the country. The catastrophic event, which occurred on Monday, claimed the lives of two individuals, one of whom was a doctor, and left a staggering toll of destruction in its wake. Dr. Lesia Lysytsia, a physician at the hospital, recounted the horrifying moment when the missile struck. "It was like a scene from a movie," she said, describing the initial blinding light followed by a deafening explosion.
The blast left approximately 60-70% of the hospital in ruins and ignited fires in several parts of the building. Images from the aftermath showed young patients, some with IV drips still attached, being hurriedly evacuated from the devastated site. Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko of Kyiv confirmed the fatalities and expressed fears that more individuals might be trapped under the rubble. He condemned the attack, describing it as a deliberate act of genocide against the Ukrainian people. The hospital, renowned for its cancer treatment and organ transplants, was forced to relocate its critical patients, many of whom were on ventilators, to nearby medical facilities under urgent and distressing conditions.
International Condemnation and Calls for Enhanced Air Defenses
The brutal attack on Ohmatdyt Children's Hospital has ignited a firestorm of international condemnation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that over 40 missiles had struck various cities, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. He urged Western nations to respond more decisively and expedite the provision of advanced air defense systems to Ukraine. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov highlighted the dire need for enhanced defensive capabilities, stating, "Our defense capabilities are still insufficient. We need more air defense systems." The European Union's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, denounced the attacks, labeling them as ruthless targeting of civilians. Newly appointed UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need to hold those responsible for the attacks accountable.
UN Secretary General António Guterres expressed his shock, particularly at the targeting of medical facilities, and reiterated that such attacks on civilians are strictly prohibited by international humanitarian law. The UN's human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine reported that civilian casualties have been escalating, with May being the deadliest month for civilian deaths in nearly a year. As the international community responds with outrage, the urgent need for enhanced air defense measures to protect Ukraine's civilian population becomes increasingly evident.
