The news has been confirmed by President Zelensky.
A Russian airstrike has hit a hospital in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol, burying children under rubble, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
Taking to Twitter on Wednesday afternoon (9 March), the Ukrainian leader pleaded for the killings to stop, labelling the attack an “atrocity”.
“Direct strike of Russian troops at the maternity hospital. People, children are under the wreckage,” Zelensky wrote.
“Atrocity! How much longer will the world be an accomplice ignoring terror? Close the sky right now! Stop the killings!
“You have power but you seem to be losing humanity.”
Mariupol. Direct strike of Russian troops at the maternity hospital. People, children are under the wreckage. Atrocity! How much longer will the world be an accomplice ignoring terror? Close the sky right now! Stop the killings! You have power but you seem to be losing humanity. pic.twitter.com/FoaNdbKH5k
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 9, 2022
Authorities said, per the Metro:
“The Russian occupying forces have dropped several bombs on the children’s hospital. The destruction is colossal.”
The attack comes after the United Nations human rights office announced there had been 1,424 verified civilian casualties in Ukraine since the conflict began two weeks ago, including 516 deaths.
President Zelensky has been urging Nato to implement a no-fly zone over Ukraine to help prevent Russian airstrikes and the bombing of civilians.
Another Russia's attack on besieged Mariupol – Children's Hospital №3…
It may be the way Russia tries to break the fighting spirit of the defenders pic.twitter.com/iq5ExVVaPa
— UkraineWorld (@ukraine_world) March 9, 2022
So far, the West has refused to take such measures over fears that it would escalate the conflict with Russia and lead to all-out war with Vladimir Putin.
Mariupol is one of a number of Ukrainian cities under siege and constant bombardment from Russian forces, leaving thousands without food, water or electricity.
Mariupol’s deputy mayor claims 1,200 people have been killed in the city in the two weeks since the Russian invasion commenced.
The Red Cross has described the situation in Ukraine as “apocalyptic,” saying that it is only getting worse for those living there.
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