High Likelihood: Kyiv's Children's Hospital Directly Hit by Russian Missile

A U.N. rights mission suggested a strong probability that Kyiv's main children's hospital was hit directly by a Russian missile during recent airstrikes on Ukrainian cities. Ukraine observed a national mourning day for 41 victims, including children. President Zelenskiy seeks NATO's support amidst Russia's advancing forces.

A U.N. rights mission suggested on Tuesday a strong probability that Kyiv's primary children's hospital experienced a direct hit from a Russian missile during a series of airstrikes on Ukrainian cities. The Kremlin continues to deny responsibility.

Ukraine observed a national day of mourning, lowering its flags to half-mast to remember the 41 individuals tragically lost in Monday's airstrikes, which included casualties at Okhmatdyt children's hospital. Video analysis and onsite assessments indicate a high likelihood of a direct missile hit, as stated by the U.N. Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine.

The Security Service of Ukraine claimed definitive evidence showed the hospital was struck by a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile, substantiated by images of the missile's engine fragments. Despite these claims, the Kremlin blamed Ukrainian anti-missile fire for the damage. The incident has spurred millions in donations for the hospital's recovery efforts from both domestic and international sources, over 28 months into the conflict.

(With inputs from agencies.)