Okhmatdyt children's hospital after the strike: Live report (photos, videos)
Photo: Okhmatdyt hospital in Kyiv destroyed due to a Russian attack (Vitalii Nosach/RBC-Ukraine)
During today's combined missile attack on Kyiv, the Okhmatdyt children's hospital was hit. As a result, there are injured and dead, and there may still be people under the rubble, which is currently being cleared.
Here is a report from the scene below.
It should be noted that the strike at the children's hospital, which is one of the leading in Ukraine and Europe, destroyed one of its buildings. The head of the President's Office, Andriy Yermak, wrote today that the Russians "purposefully hit children today."
Clearing the rubble is ongoing. Many concerned people have also joined the efforts. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that there are people under the ruins of the children's hospital, but the exact number of injured and dead is currently unknown.
"Emergency work continues directly here at the Okhmatdyt children's hospital. Volunteers, medical staff, police officers, and the Emergency Service are currently clearing the buildings. Additional forces from the National Guard will arrive to quickly clear the rubble and possibly rescue people trapped underneath," said Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko during the telethon broadcast.
Photo: Consequences of the strike on the Okhmatdyt children's hospital (Vitalii Nosach/RBC-Ukraine)
The minister shared that rescuers generally have three "golden hours" to save any living people trapped under the rubble.
Overall, it is known that seven people have died in different locations in Kyiv, with two known dead specifically at the Okhmatdyt. However, these numbers are constantly changing.
Health Minister Viktor Liashko is at the site. He reported that there were children and medical staff in the building at the moment of the Russian terrorist attack.
"Currently, the aftermath of the emergency is being managed. We see the building where the toxicology department was located. There were children on dialysis and a laboratory. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine is helping us; they were the first to rush in and clear the debris. Over time, we will understand who was evacuated by ambulance and who might potentially be under the rubble. We are evacuating everyone from intensive care under these buildings separately, as there is no electricity or water," said Liashko.
According to him, evacuation to hospitals in Kyiv and Ministry of Health hospitals is currently underway. An operational headquarters is working.
"Children had their last chance for salvation there. They underwent dialysis treatment here. As of today, everyone in intensive care has been saved," said Liashko.
He also confirmed that there is information about casualties due to the strike on the hospital, but he did not specify the number as it is constantly increasing.
"There are wounded medical workers. They are receiving medical assistance," added Liashko.
Massive attack on Ukraine
After the night shelling, Russian terrorists massively attacked Ukraine with missiles again during the day. Various cities were hit: Kyiv, Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Slovyansk, and Kramatorsk. The enemy used cruise missiles, ballistics, and Kinzhal missiles. In total, over 40 missiles of various types were launched.
As a result of the attack, residential buildings, infrastructure, and the children's hospital were damaged. Dozens of injured and dead were reported in Kryvyi Rih. An apartment building was damaged in Dnipro.
Read more about the combined attack on Ukrainian cities in an RBC-Ukraine article.
