First responders spent the night in Kyiv digging through the rubble at the children’s hospital and other sites struck by Russian missiles on Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The rescue operation after yesterday’s Russian missile attack continues, he said on social media on Tuesday. As of now, 38 people have been reported dead, including four children. My condolences to all the families and friends affected by this tragedy.
At least 94 children, including eight who were injured, were transferred to other hospitals following the missile strike on the Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital in Kyiv, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on the messaging app Telegram.
The wide-ranging aerial assault on Monday came on the eve of a NATO summit in Washington, D.C. As rescue work in Kyiv continued, officials with NATO countries and other Ukrainian allies issued scathing remarks criticizing Russia for its horrendous and barbaric strikes.
Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg condemned Russia’s action, describing the strikes as horrendous missile attacks against Ukrainian cities, killing innocent civilians including children.
NATO members will make decisions during the Washington summit about how to strengthen the alliance’s support for Ukraine, according to a press release from Stoltenberg’s office.
President Joe Biden said on Monday that the fatal missile strikes in Ukraine were a horrific reminder of Russia’s brutality. He added that the world must continue to stand with Ukraine ahead of this week’s NATO summit, where the ongoing war will be a main topic of discussion.