Three killed, including child, after Russia bombed hospital while women gave birth
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
VIDEO: Children's hospital in Ukraine hit in air strike.
Police in Ukraine have released images showing devastation at a children's hospital in the besieged port city of Mariupol.
International leaders and Ukraine blame Russia for the attack, calling it “barbaric” pic.twitter.com/HurZMf0fdO— AFP News Agency (@AFP) March 10, 2022
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."
With multiple reports of a missile strike destroying maternity & children’s hospital in #Mariupol, despite ceasefire agreement, the indiscriminate cruelty of Putin’s invasion is crystal clear.
This war on civilians must end.— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) March 9, 2022
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."
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. #PutinMustFail https://t.co/JBuvB78HVC— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) March 9, 2022
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".
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
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 9, 2022
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."
