Russia ruined unique rehabilitation center for disabled children in Sumy region
Russia destroyed children's rehabilitation center in Sumy region, Ukraine, on July 19 (photo: facebook.com/andrij.sybiha)
Russian army destroyed one of the facilities of the Sumy Regional Center for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Children and People with Disabilities, according to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
Consequences of Russian strike
The minister says one of the Center's facilities has been reduced to ruins following another Russian attack. The institution provided rehabilitation services for children and adults amid the unique natural landscape of the border region, earning it the nickname "little Switzerland."
"Here, surrounded by incredible nature, children and adults were helped to regain confidence in their own abilities, recover, and move forward. And these are exactly the kinds of places Russia deliberately chooses as targets," the foreign minister emphasized.
Sybiha noted that the Ukrainian Diplomatic Spouses Association has long supported the center's team and recently donated an interactive sandbox to support the rehabilitation of the facility's children.
Russian army burnt a children's rehabilitation center in the Sumy region in Ukraine on July 19 (photo: facebook.com/andrij.sybiha)
Russian army burnt a children's rehabilitation center in the Sumy region in Ukraine on July 19 (photo: facebook.com/andrij.sybiha)
Russian army burnt a children's rehabilitation center in the Sumy region in Ukraine on July 19 (photo: facebook.com/andrij.sybiha)
Responses, reconstruction plans
The minister emphasized that Ukraine, together with international partners, will work to rebuild the damaged facility and restore full operations of the institution.
"When places where children and people with disabilities receive rehabilitation become targets, the world has no right to get used to such evil or look for excuses for it. We will do everything to ensure that Russia pays for every one of its crimes," Sybiha said.
Center Director Olena Sushchenko is currently assessing the full needs of the facility to address the immediate consequences of the attack.
Russian assaults on Sumy region
The Russian army continues to systematically terrorize the Sumy region, using guided aerial bombs, drones, and artillery to carry out strikes.
Border areas are suffering significant damage on a daily basis, with civilian and critical infrastructure repeatedly coming under fire.
Overnight on July 17, Russian forces launched another large-scale attack, with five bomb strikes recorded in the city. The strikes once again hit Sumy, damaging civilian facilities.
Two days earlier, on July 15, Russian forces struck densely populated areas, leaving more than 20 people injured in Sumy as a result of bomb attacks. Several of the wounded were reported to be in serious condition.
That same day, Russian aircraft also attacked other communities in the region, striking a crowded area in the Sumy region with six guided aerial bombs, killing civilians and injuring dozens of people.
