On the Monday morning of July 8, 2024, the Russians launched another terrorism attack on Ukraine. But this time it was during rush hour and daylight. In a series of strikes on Kyiv, they hit the Okhmadyt Children’s Hospital, the largest in Ukraine and several other locations in Kyiv and across the country.
There were over 40 missiles fired and 32 people were killed. Two were at the hospital, the rest at other civilian buildings including residential building in northwest Kyiv that took a direct strike.
The backdrop of the strikes were the NATO 75th Anniversary meeting from July 9th to July 11th, 2024. The world reaction was swift.
The next day, a statement was released from the WhiteHouse: “Joint Statement on Strengthening Ukraine’s Air Defenses by U.S. President Joseph R. Biden, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy” it read:
“We are committed to providing Ukraine with additional air defense capabilities as it defends itself against Russia’s continued aggression, including Russia’s deliberate attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilian and critical infrastructure.”
On Friday, Ukrainians gathered again at the strike site to pay respects. Metropolitan Epiphanius of Kyiv led a ceremony to honor those killed and injured.
The Kyiv Classic Orchestra performed the “Requiem for those who died” conducted by Herman Makarenko.