Members of the UN Security Council have sharply criticized Russia for the attack on a children's hospital in Kiev. The Chinese ambassador also expressed shock – but did not address Russia directly.
The serious Russian attack on a children's hospital in Kiev has also led to sharp criticism of Russia in the UN Security Council. Ambassadors from several countries attacked Russia. The Chinese representative also expressed “deep concern” about the high number of deaths in the Ukraine war, but did not address Russia directly.
Unfortunately, the fighting has not calmed down recently, “but has intensified and brutal attacks have occurred from time to time, causing heavy casualties,” said China's ambassador Geng Shuang at the emergency meeting of the Security Council in New York. “Intentional attacks on a protected hospital are a war crime,” said the UN's Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Joyce Msuya.
“Targeted residential areas and Health infrastructure targeted”
American UN Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said: “We are here today because Russia, a permanent member of the Security Council, the current President of the Security Council, attacked a children's hospital – and it sends a chill down my spine even as I say that sentence.” Russia will hold the rotating presidency of the Council in July.
British Ambassador Barbara Woodward added that Russia's behavior was “a disgrace for the Security Council and in particular for the Presidency.” France's representative Nicolas de Rivière spoke of “another entry and a list of war crimes” for which Russia must be held accountable. Moscow had “deliberately targeted residential areas and health infrastructure.”
Ukraine reports several children dead in attacks
Russia launched massive attacks on Ukraine on Monday, including hitting the children's hospital in Kiev. According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, at least 38 people were killed nationwide in the attacks, including four children. The attacks, which involved around 40 rockets, targeted medical facilities in several cities.
Immediately after the shelling of the children's hospital in Kyiv, the Ukrainian domestic intelligence service SBU announced that “relevant evidence, in particular fragments from the rear part of a Ch-101 missile” including a serial number, had been found on site.
First UN investigation speaks of Russian missile
At an emergency meeting of the UN body in New York, the Ukrainian ambassador to the UN, Serhiy Kislitsia, held up photos that were supposed to show the flight path of a Russian “cruise missile.” Moscow had previously denied responsibility and said the hospital had been hit by debris from Ukrainian anti-aircraft missiles.
According to preliminary investigations by the UN Human Rights Office, the clinic was hit directly by a Russian Kh-101 (Ch-101) missile. Experts analyzed video footage and examined the damage on site, said Danielle Bell, head of the UN Human Rights Observer Mission in Ukraine.
