US President Joe Biden has strongly criticized a series of Russian missile strikes in Ukraine that resulted in the deaths of at least 38 people, calling it a stark reminder of Russia’s brutality. Biden pledged to enhance Kyiv’s air defenses in response to the attacks, which injured over 190 people, including some at a children’s hospital in Kyiv. While Russia denied targeting the hospital, the UN’s monitoring mission in Ukraine and analysts suggested Moscow’s involvement.
Ahead of hosting a NATO summit in Washington, Biden announced plans to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses during the meeting. The summit, marking NATO’s 75th anniversary, will focus on defense and deterrence in light of Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
Read more: Russian Assaults On Ukrainian Cities Have Killed At Least 20 Peoples
Although Ukraine is not currently a NATO member, President Volodymyr Zelensky will attend the summit amid Ukraine’s aspirations for NATO membership post-conflict, a move opposed by Russia.
Biden reaffirmed unwavering US support for Ukraine and planned to meet with President Zelensky to underscore this commitment. Meanwhile, the UN Security Council convened at Ukraine’s request, joined by Western leaders in condemning Russia’s missile attacks. Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, declared a day of mourning in the capital following the deadly assaults.
UN holds Russia responsible for the deadly explosion at a hospital
Two individuals perished when a missile destroyed a section of the Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital, Ukraine’s largest pediatric facility, with the search for survivors under the rubble concluding on Tuesday morning.
The Kremlin denied responsibility for the attack, asserting that a misfiring NASAMS air defense missile caused the explosion, a claim echoed by Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for Russia’s foreign ministry. However, the UN’s human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine indicated a high probability that Russia conducted the strike on the hospital.
Video evidence and site assessments suggested direct targeting by a Russian missile, a conclusion supported by analysis, which identified the missile type as likely a Russian air-launched KH-101 missile according to six munitions experts.
President Zelensky condemned the attack as “brutal” and referred to Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “bloody criminal.” Images from the scene of the blast at the Kyiv hospital, known for cancer treatment and organ transplants, depicted children connected to IV drips sitting outside the damaged facility awaiting evacuation.
Zelensky reported that Russia launched over 40 missiles on Monday, causing damage to nearly 100 buildings in Kyiv, Dnipro, Sloviansk, Kramatorsk, and his hometown of Kryvyi Rih. He has been urging Western allies for months to increase deliveries of air defense systems amid escalating Russian assaults. UN officials noted May marked the deadliest month for civilian casualties in nearly a year.
The Ukrainian government has emphasized the urgent need for new US-made Patriot air defense systems. However, Western officials have been hesitant to deploy more of these limited surface-to-air batteries across NATO.
The UK’s new Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, also condemned the attack as “the most depraved of actions.” Britain has been a key ally to Ukraine, and Sir Keir pledged continued support from his new administration. He is scheduled to meet with President Biden at the White House during the NATO summit.
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia would closely monitor the summit, criticizing NATO for aiming to deliver Russia a strategic defeat on the battlefield. Russian officials reported a fire at a power substation in the Rostov region following overnight drone attacks, with regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov confirming four deaths and 20 injuries from Ukrainian attacks over the past day.
