Politics
Russian bomb hits maternity hospital during humanitarian ceasefire
President Volodymyr Zelensky took to Twitter to condemn the attack and blast Western governments for refusing to impose a no-fly zone over Ukrainian airspace
March 9, 2022 4:57pm
Updated: March 9, 2022 6:20pm
Ukrainian officials announced on Wednesday that a maternity and children’s hospital in the south eastern city of Mariupol has been hit by a Russian air strike, leaving victims trapped beneath the wreckage.
President Volodymyr Zelensky took to Twitter to condemn the attack and blast Western governments for refusing to impose a no-fly zone over Ukrainian airspace.
Mariupol. Direct strike of Russian troops at the maternity hospital. People, children are under the wreckage. Atrocity! How much longer will the world be an accomplice ignoring terror? Close the sky right now! Stop the killings! You have power but you seem to be losing humanity. pic.twitter.com/FoaNdbKH5k
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 9, 2022
In a post which showed footage from inside the hospital, Zelensky wrote, “How much longer will the world be an accomplice ignoring terror? Close the sky right now! Stop the killings! You have power but you seem to be losing humanity.”
According to a BBC News report, although at least 17 people were injured, no children were injured during the attack.
Pavlo Kyrylenko, the head of the Donetsk regional administration, confirmed the casualty count but added that the attack occurred during an agreed ceasefire between Russian and Ukrainian forces.
But while no deaths were reported, the Mariupol city council said the attack caused “colossal damage” and published footage that shows burned out buildings and a large crater on hospital grounds.
Today, the #Russian occupants launched an air strike against a maternity hospital in #Mariupol, where there were pregnant women and medical staff at that moment.#RussianUkraineWar #RussiaInvasion pic.twitter.com/ZzFpgPjKrA
— KyivPost (@KyivPost) March 9, 2022
"We don't understand how it's possible in modern life to bomb a children's hospital. People cannot believe that it's true," Mariupol Deputy Mayor Serhiy Orlov lamented.
The Biden administration also condemned the “barbaric” use of force against civilian targets and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson took to Twitter to note that "there are few things more depraved than targeting the vulnerable and defenseless.”
There are few things more depraved than targeting the vulnerable and defenceless.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) March 9, 2022
The UK is exploring more support for Ukraine to defend against airstrikes and we will hold Putin to account for his terrible crimes. #PutinMustFail https://t.co/JBuvB78HVC
