In a devastating attack in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, a children's hospital has been severely damaged by Russian strikes, resulting in the loss of innocent lives. The early morning barrage claimed the lives of 31 people across the country, with at least 17 fatalities reported in Kyiv alone.

Among the casualties were two individuals who tragically lost their lives at Ohmatdyt Children's Hospital, Ukraine's largest pediatric facility. The hospital suffered extensive damage during the blast, leaving it in a precarious state.

The head of the military administration in the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih confirmed that the attack had claimed the lives of 10 people in the region. Additionally, three more individuals were killed in the eastern town of Pokrovsk, and one in Dnipro. It is reported that more than 40 missiles of various types struck different cities, including Kyiv, Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Sloviansk, and Kramatorsk, causing widespread destruction to residential buildings and infrastructure.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was visiting Poland at the time and had just signed a security pact, expressed his determination to retaliate against these vicious attacks. In a social media post, President Zelensky described the extent of the damage, stating that residential buildings, infrastructure, and even a children's hospital had been impacted.

Dr. Lesia Lysytsia, a doctor at Ohmatdyt Children's Hospital, provided a harrowing account of the attack. She described the moment the missile struck as "like in a film" with a "big light, then an awful sound." Dr. Lysytsia revealed that a part of the hospital was destroyed, and a fire broke out in another section. The hospital now stands severely damaged, with an estimated 60-70% of the facility affected.

Heartbreaking images captured children, some with IV drips, being evacuated from the hospital premises. Ohmatdyt serves as a vital medical institution, offering crucial services such as cancer treatment and organ transplants. Efforts are currently underway to transfer patients to the nearest available hospital. However, the situation is complicated, as many of the patients are intubated and rely on ventilators, making it challenging to transfer them or allow contact with others.

Hospital officials revealed that approximately 20 children from the affected ward were receiving treatment at the time of the attack. The tragedy unfolded further as a subsequent explosion rocked the nearby area, prompting hundreds of people to seek shelter in an underpass. President Zelensky expressed concerns that people may still be trapped under the rubble of the hospital.

The impact of the attack was not limited to Ohmatdyt Children's Hospital. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported that a separate maternity unit in Kyiv had also suffered partial destruction, leading to the loss of four lives and injuring three individuals. In Kryvyi Rih, President Zelensky's hometown, 10 people were killed, and 31 were wounded as a result of the assault.

Dnipro city reported one fatality, with six others sustaining injuries. A high-rise building and a business establishment were also affected by the attack. Meanwhile, in Pokrovsk, three people lost their lives amidst escalating tensions in the eastern Donetsk region, where Russian forces have recently gained control over several villages.

The timing of these strikes coincided with the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Moscow, where he is scheduled to hold talks with President Vladimir Putin. The Ukrainian Defense Minister, Rustem Umerov, responded to the attacks by urging Ukraine's allies to swiftly assist in enhancing its air defense capabilities.

The United Nations' human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine has reported a mounting number of civilian casualties in recent months due to renewed Russian air campaigns. In fact, May 2022 was noted as the deadliest month for civilian deaths in nearly a year.

Footage shared on social media by President Zelensky showcased the aftermath of the attack, revealing smoke billowing out of Ohmatdyt Children's Hospital and shattered windows, serving as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of violence on innocent lives.