A missile struck a children’s hospital in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Monday, leading to a tragic loss of at least 36 lives. Ukraine has identified the missile as a Russian Kh-101 air-launched cruise missile, while Russia denies responsibility, claiming it was a Ukrainian surface-to-air missile that caused the destruction. This incident has sparked international outrage and a heated debate among war and weapons experts.
The Security Service of Ukraine was quick to identify the missile that hit the Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital, one of the most important pediatric medical facilities in Europe. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack, stating, “We must hold Russia accountable for its acts of terror and Putin for ordering the strikes.”
Visual evidence and expert analysis have contradicted the Russian Ministry of Defense’s claims. Moscow’s Ministry of Defense posted a statement on Telegram, asserting that the destruction was caused by a fallen Ukrainian air defense missile. However, war analysts and experts have taken to social media to dispute this narrative.
Dara Massicot, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, described the Russian claims as “gaslighting.” She shared a video of the attack from United24 Media, stating, “No, it was not ‘Ukrainian air defense’ that caused a children’s hospital to be struck.” Massicot also noted that other Russian missiles had targeted a nearby military plant, indicating a broader attack on Kyiv and several other cities.
A video captured the moment a Russian missile targeted the children’s hospital during the Monday morning rush hour. Analysts have assessed that the weapon was not an air-defense missile nor a damaged Russian missile knocked off course. Fabian Hoffman, a doctoral research fellow with the Oslo Nuclear Project, analyzed the photos and videos, concluding that the missile was intact, the exhaust normal, and the weapon was coming in at a steep angle. “The flight looks fully controlled,” he said.
Hoffman also challenged the assessment that it was a Ukrainian surface-to-air missile, pointing out the visible turbofan engine, long wings in the midsection, and blunted nose, all characteristics of a cruise missile rather than an interceptor.
The Kremlin has repeatedly claimed that it does not intentionally target civilian infrastructure. However, the Associated Press has documented numerous instances where Russia has attacked civilian-occupied entities. This latest incident at the Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital adds to the growing list of alleged Russian attacks on civilian targets.
Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy has called for international accountability, emphasizing the need to hold Russia and its leadership responsible for these acts of terror. The attack on the children’s hospital has not only caused immediate loss and suffering but has also damaged a critical medical facility that has been saving and restoring the health of thousands of children.
The international community has reacted with outrage, and experts continue to analyze the available evidence to provide a clear understanding of the events. The debate over the missile’s origin and the responsibility for the attack highlights the complexities and the fog of war that often accompany such tragic incidents.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on ensuring that those responsible are held accountable and that such attacks on civilian infrastructure, especially facilities as vital as children’s hospitals, are prevented in the future. The international community’s response and the ongoing expert analysis will play a crucial role in shaping the narrative and the subsequent actions taken to address this atrocity.
Source: Business Insider, Associated Press
