UN Security Council meeting due to Russian attack on children's hospital in Kyiv

(Patria) - The UN Security Council will meet today due to the Russian attack on Ukraine in which the main children's hospital in Kyiv was hit, diplomats confirmed to Reuters.

The Security Council meeting was requested by the United Kingdom, France, Ecuador, Slovenia and the United States, reports RFE/RL.

- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the Russian attacks - said his spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

He added that Guterres considers the attack on the children's hospital and another medical facility "particularly shocking".

"We will call out Russia's cowardly and depraved attack on the hospital," said British Ambassador to the UN Barbara Woodward in a post on X.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated earlier yesterday that he had requested a UN Security Council meeting and promised retaliation after a "massive" Russian attack on targets across Ukraine, including a cruise missile that hit the country's largest children's hospital before noon.

Okhmatdyt Children's Hospital in Kyiv. One of the most important CHILDREN’S hospitals not only in Ukraine, but also in Europe. Okhmatdyt has been saving and restoring the health of thousands of children.

Now that the hospital has been damaged by a Russian strike, there are… pic.twitter.com/TmRlUmSBri

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 8, 2024

The UN humanitarian coordinator and the EU's top diplomat condemned the Russian air strikes, which Ukrainian authorities said killed at least 29 people and injured dozens across Ukraine, leaving an unknown number of victims trapped under the rubble of the Kyiv children's hospital Okhmatdyt.

The attacks damaged "residential buildings, infrastructure and a children's hospital," Zelensky reported, adding that more than 40 missiles of various types fell on Kyiv, Dnipro and Kryvyi Rih in central Ukraine, as well as Kramatorsk and Sloviansk in the eastern Donetsk region.

"All services are engaged to save as many people as possible," Zelensky posted on X.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko told Reuters that this was "one of the worst" attacks on the capital during the 28-month invasion.

"People are under the rubble, and the exact number of casualties is not yet known," Zelensky posted on social media, calling Okhmatdyt "one of the most important children's hospitals not only in Kyiv, but also in Europe."

Zelensky, who is visiting Warsaw, said the entire world must use all its determination to finally stop Russian strikes.

- Killing is what Putin brings. Only together can we bring true peace and security - Zelensky added.