Ukraine pleads for aid after Russian missile volley strikes Kyiv, damages children's hospital

In a devastating attack on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, a volley of Russian missiles wounded dozens of people and inflicted significant damage on a children’s hospital on Wednesday.

The assault, described by Ukrainian officials as the most severe in months, unfolded as the country urgently appeals for Western military assistance.

Amidst the pre-dawn hours, AFP journalists in Kyiv reported multiple explosions, with subsequent air raid sirens amplifying the sense of alarm. Ukraine’s air force asserted that it successfully intercepted all 10 missiles aimed at the city, yet the health ministry disclosed that 53 individuals, including two children, sustained injuries primarily from glass shards, household items, and the shock wave caused by falling missile debris.

While Russia’s defense ministry claimed destruction of Ukrainian ammunition depots and drone construction sites, details were scant.

The strikes coincided with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Norway, a crucial donor, following a trip to Washington where efforts to unlock a $60 billion aid package faced Congressional obstacles.

Expressing the critical need for assistance, Zelensky declared, “Ukraine can’t win without help,” denouncing Russia as “a shameful country that fires rockets at night, hitting residential areas, kindergartens, and energy facilities in winter.”

As President Zelensky works to rejuvenate support from allies, the failure of Ukraine’s June counter-offensive looms large. During talks with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, Zelensky sought backing against the backdrop of growing fatigue.

In response, US President Joe Biden, reaffirming support, stated, “I will not walk away from Ukraine,” emphasizing that a Ukrainian defeat would embolden aggressors worldwide. The Kyiv strikes unfolded shortly after a major hacking attack on the country’s top telecoms operator, with suspicions of Russian involvement.

The conflict’s intensification prompted French President Emmanuel Macron to advocate for “full and enduring support” from the EU, echoed by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s call for “sustainable, reliable financial support for Ukraine” at an upcoming summit.

With the conflict expected to dominate the European Union summit, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen urged leaders to provide massive financial aid to Ukraine and support Kyiv’s aspirations for membership talks, emphasizing, “We must give Ukraine what it needs to be strong today.”

As tensions escalate, Wednesday’s missile strike, the second in a week, targeted Kyiv with “ballistic weapons,” according to the Kyiv City Military Administration. The assault comes amidst renewed attacks in southern and eastern Ukraine, shaping the conflict as a pivotal agenda item for the European Union summit.