A series of Russian missile strikes targeted several Ukrainian cities earlier today (Monday), including the capital Kyiv, in a rare daytime attack. The strikes caused widespread damage and casualties, with officials reporting at least 22 people killed and 68 injured.
The assault, which hit during rush hour, targeted Kyiv, Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Slovyansk, and Kramatorsk. Among the buildings struck was Kyiv's Okhmatdyt hospital, a critical medical center for children across Ukraine.
Videos from the scene showed emergency personnel scrambling to rescue people from the rubble of the hospital, which sustained significant damage. Ukraine's health minister reported damage to intensive care units, oncology departments, and surgery units. Thankfully, medical staff were able to evacuate patients to safety.
Hospital staff and bystanders described the harrowing scene. A senior nurse recounted the fear as the strike hit, followed by the scramble to move children to safety. Another nurse detailed the emergency surgery that continued despite the blackout caused by the attack.
The World Health Organization reported more than 1,600 instances of heavy weapons attacks impacting medical facilities in Ukraine since the start of the war, with 141 people killed in these attacks.
* CNN contributed to this article.
