Volodymyr Zelensky said the bombing is proof that "the genocide of Ukrainians is taking place".
At least three people, including one child, are reported to have been killed in the
Russian bombing of a hospital in Mariupol on Wednesday, March 9.
The airstrike, which Mariupol City Council says "completely destroyed" the building in the southern port city, took place while women were giving birth in the children's and maternity hospital.
Trigger warning: images may cause distress
https://twitter.com/AFP/status/1501775266997506052?s=20&t=mwEn_VnXkQbxPRrwPAwKzw
Among the 17 injured in the attack, two adults and a six-year-old girl are said to have died, according to a statement from the council via
Telegram.
Since the news of the horrific attack on innocent civilians broke, world leaders have issued statements condemning Russia and Vladimir Putin's inhumane actions.
"With multiple reports of a missile strike destroying maternity and children’s hospital in Mariupol, despite ceasefire agreement, the indiscriminate cruelty of Putin’s invasion is crystal clear," Taoiseach Micheál Martin said.
"This war on civilians must end."
https://twitter.com/MichealMartinTD/status/1501621873125302279
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
"There are few things more depraved than targeting the vulnerable and defenceless.
"The UK is exploring more support for Ukraine to defend against airstrikes and we will hold Putin to account for his terrible crimes."
https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1501598088850518019?s=20&t=mwEn_VnXkQbxPRrwPAwKzw
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky posted raw footage showing the aftermath of the barrage, pleading with global powers to do more, close the airspace and "stop the killings".
https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1501579520633102349?s=20&t=mwEn_VnXkQbxPRrwPAwKzw
He later said in a
statement that the bombing of the hospital is proof that "the genocide of Ukrainians is taking place".
"Europeans! You won’t be able to say that you didn't see what happened to Ukrainians, what happened to Mariupol residents. You saw. You know," the President stated.
"Therefore, you must increase sanctions against Russia so that it no longer has any opportunity to continue this genocide.
"You must put pressure on Russia to force it to sit down at the negotiating table and end this brutal war."
