Russian rocket strike on Kyiv children's hospital shocks the world
The photo of a rescuer crying in helplessness, showcasing the scale of suffering and impotence against the brutality of the Russians, has spread across the internet. On July 7, 2024, in a massive rocket attack, the country's largest children's clinic, Ohmatdyt, was hit.
12:23 PM EDT, July 9, 2024
On that day, Kyiv became the target of a large-scale rocket attack carried out by Russia. Ohmatdyt, the country's largest children's clinic where children with cancer fight for their lives, was struck.
A Russian rocket hit the hospital building, which housed 620 beds and annually cared for up to 18,000 children. The attack severely damaged part of the hospital complex, including the operating wing. Two staff members were killed, and 16 others, including 17 children, were injured. Patients had to be evacuated.
The rescuer cried in helplessness
During the bombing, doctors were conducting three surgeries. As the screams and cries of children could be heard from beneath the rubble, both hospital staff and regular people rushed to help.
Rescuers also arrived at the scene, using specialized equipment to clear the debris. One of them was captured in a photo, visibly shaken by the brutal attack and the death of young, innocent victims.
Brutal attack by the Russians
The moment the Russian rocket hit the hospital building was caught on camera, and the footage appeared on the internet. In the videos, a flying rocket can be seen, then moments later, a powerful explosion, followed by a cloud of smoke and debris. Ukrainian influencer Ihor Lachenkov published one of these videos, emphasizing that air defense did not intercept the rocket and flew straight to its target, Ohmatdyt Hospital.
The attack caused a wave of outrage. The head of the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ihor Klymenko, stated: "This morning once again showed that Russia is a country of terrorists and degenerates. Dozens of rockets were fired at cities during rush hour. An attack on the largest children's hospital in the country."
