Russia hits Okhmatdyt children's hospital, casualties reported.

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Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated. The Okhmatdyt hospital, Ukraine's largest children's medical center, was hit by Russian missiles on July 8, President Volodymyr Zelensky reported. "The hospital has been damaged by a Russian attack, people are under the rubble, the exact number of wounded and dead is currently unknown," Zelensky said.

"Everyone helps to clear out the debris: doctors, regular people," he added.

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 / ????????? ?????????? (@ZelenskyyUa) July 8, 2024

According to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, patients of the children's hospital, which was hit by the missiles, "are being evacuated to the municipal hospital of the city." "It is a nightmare. This is another evidence of (Russia's) genocide, what Russians are doing to Ukraine and our city," he said.

At least one adult was killed, and 20 other people were injured in the attack on the Okhmatdyt hospital, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Oleksii Kuleba told the Kyiv Independent. "I cannot say for sure whether it was a missile or debris (that hit the hospital). But considering the scale of destruction, it's unlikely that it was a fragment from the debris," Kuleba said.

Kuleba added that more people may be under the rubble. The rescue operation is ongoing. Twelve locations were hit in total, while more than 40 people were confirmed injured in the capital as of 1 p.m. local time, according to the deputy head of the Presidential Office.

Russia launched an aerial missile attack against Ukraine on the morning of July 8, the second such strike in the past few hours. Kyiv, Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Sloviansk, Pokrovsk, and Kramatorsk came under attack. Around 40 missiles of various types were launched against Ukraine, Zelensky said.

Telegram monitoring channels reported that the missiles entered Ukrainian airspace at around 10 a.m. Launches of Kinzhal ballistic missiles were also detected.

Explosions rock Kyiv, other cities in Russian Monday morning massive attack Russia launched a missile attack against Ukraine on the morning of July 8, the second such strike in the past few hours.

The Kyiv Independent news desk

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