Russian Troops Bomb Children’s and Maternity Hospital During Ceasefire in Ukrainian City Mariupol
- Russian troops attacked a children's and maternity hospital in the city of Mariupol on Wednesday, 9 March
- Ukrainian President Voldymoyr Zelensky has labelled the actions of Russia's military an act of genocide and called for sanctions on Russia
- Social media users were left angered by the attack on the children's hospital, with some people finding the bombing despicable
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MARIUPOL - It has officially been two weeks since Russian troops invaded its neighbouring country Ukraine and the carnage of the war is getting worse.
Ukrainian President Voldymoyr Zelensky is now accusing Russia of genocide after a children's and maternity hospital in the city of Mariupol was bombed by Russian troops during what was meant to be a ceasefire on Wednesday, 9 March.
Source: Getty Images
The hospital was hit by a Russian aircraft when the humanitarian corridors were supposed to be open to allow civilians in Mariupol the opportunity to evacuate, reports News24.
According to Zelensky, the attack on the children's hospital left patients buried under the rubble. Women in labour, as well as children, are said to have been injured in the attack.
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Zelensky has condemned Russia and questioned the kind of threat the children's hospital supposedly posed to Russia.
"What kind of country is this, the Russian Federation, which is afraid of hospitals, is afraid of maternity hospitals, and destroys them?" asked Zelensky.
In a media briefing, Zelensky called on Western countries to place more sanctions on Russia, stating that the bombing of the hospital is proof that there is genocide taking place in Ukraine at the hands of Russia.
According to Al Jazeera, the children's hospital was struck multiple times by Russian troops and a total of 17 casualties were reported.
Footage circulating on the internet shows the police and military rushed to the site to extract casualties, including a very pregnant and bleeding lady who was carried out on a stretcher. Another woman is seen wailing as she clutches her child while mangled cars and buildings are burning in the surrounding area.
Some of the footage:
Netizens share their thoughts on the bombing of a children's hospital
@touche1981 said:
"This is just sick. Striking hospitals! With children! Cowards!"
@SusanBr25015113 said:
"This is so disgusting. Putin’s a genocidal monster deliberately slaughtering women & babies. At what point do we stop watching him commit these sickening war crimes and do something to stop him? Our cowardly inaction is shameful & pathetic."
@KhuleShangase said:
"But one day Putin and his soldiers will meet God, shame on you Putin you have innocent blood on your hands."
@Sebitlo1 said:
"Zelensky must remove snipers with anti-aircraft missiles from hospital rooftops. Otherwise, by the time the war ends, there will be no hospital left in Ukraine."
@TartanDragonNL said:
"Dear Russian soldiers. 'We were only following orders' didn't work in 1945 and it won't work in 2022. If you target children in hospitals, you are committing a war crime. There's no defence for any of this and you will be tried for it."
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky halts NATO membership amid Russian invasion
Briefly News previously reported that Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky says he is no longer pursuing membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), stating that he realises that NATO is not yet prepared to accept Ukraine.
President Vladimir Putin partly attributes Russia's invasion of Ukraine to the fact that Ukraine intended to join NATO.
Zelensky made these remarks during an interview on ABC News on Monday night, 7 March. Zelensky also stated that he would be willing to compromise on the two territories that have broken away from Ukraine and are now recognised as independent by Putin, reports EWN.
Source: Briefly News
