US President Joe Biden has condemned a wave of Russian missile strikes that killed at least 38 people in Ukraine as a “horrific reminder of Russia’s brutality”, as he vowed to strengthen Kyiv’s air defences.
The devastating attacks, which left at least 190 people injured, including children at a hospital in the capital Kyiv, have sparked outrage and calls for action from world leaders.
As President Biden prepares to host a Nato summit in Washington on Tuesday, he has pledged to announce further boosts to Ukraine’s air defences to help protect their cities and civilians from Russian strikes.
Leaders from the 32 Nato member states, their partner countries, and the EU are gathering to mark the 75th anniversary of the bloc. The summit will focus on defence and deterrence in the context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“We will be announcing new measures to strengthen Ukraine’s air defences to help protect their cities and civilians from Russian strikes,” Mr Biden said. “I will be meeting with President Zelenskyy to make clear our support for Ukraine is unshakeable.”
The UN Security Council is also meeting on Tuesday at Ukraine’s request, with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres joining Western officials in condemning Russia’s missile attack on Ukraine.
Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, declared 9 July as a day of mourning following the deadly attacks on the capital, including the missile strike on the Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital, Ukraine’s biggest paediatrics facility.
President Zelensky has been urging Western allies to step up deliveries of air defences for months, as Russian attacks have intensified. The government in Kyiv says it desperately needs new US-made Patriot air defence systems, but Western officials have been hesitant to provide more of the limited number of surface-to-air batteries scattered across the Nato alliance.
Meanwhile, Russian officials have claimed that Ukraine launched attacks on a power substation in the Rostov region, bordering Ukraine, resulting in casualties. Russia has denied targeting the Kyiv hospital, with President Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating that they do not conduct strikes on civilian targets.
In response to the attacks, Ukrainian President Zelensky called the actions of President Putin “brutal” and described him as a “bloody criminal”. He reported that Russia had launched more than 40 missiles on Monday, damaging almost 100 buildings in various cities.
The UK’s new Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, also condemned the attack, calling it “the most depraved of actions”. Britain has been a key ally to Ukraine, and Sir Keir has vowed to maintain support for Kyiv. He is scheduled to meet President Biden at the White House on Wednesday on the sidelines of the Nato summit.
As tensions escalate and world leaders gather to address the crisis, the international community is closely watching the situation in Ukraine, with hopes for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
