Russian Missile Strike on Ukrainian Children's Hospital Reveals Alarming Rise in Attacks on Health Care

Increasing Attacks on Medical Facilities in Ukraine

The recent missile strike on Ukraine’s largest children’s hospital in Kyiv has brought to light the alarming rise in deadly attacks on medical facilities, vehicles, and workers in the country. The World Health Organization (W.H.O.) has reported a significant increase in these attacks compared to the previous year.

W.H.O. Data for 2024

Prior to the strike on the Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital, the W.H.O. documented a total of 18 deaths and 81 injuries resulting from over 175 attacks on healthcare infrastructure in Ukraine during the first half of 2024. Additionally, the organization recorded 44 attacks on medical vehicles in the same period. These figures indicate a concerning escalation in violence targeting healthcare facilities and personnel.

Comparison with 2023

When comparing these statistics with the data from 2023, the severity of the situation becomes apparent. In 2023, the W.H.O. reported 22 deaths and 117 injuries from 350 attacks on healthcare infrastructure, along with 45 attacks specifically targeting medical vehicles such as ambulances. Other organizations have reported even higher death tolls, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.

Tragic Outcome of Monday's Attack

The missile strike on the children’s hospital resulted in the tragic deaths of at least one doctor and another adult, as well as injuries to at least 10 others, including seven children. This attack was part of a broader Russian barrage across Ukraine, claiming the lives of at least 38 people, including 27 in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine.