A day of mourning was declared in Kiev in connection with the attacks on civilian infrastructure, which also targeted the largest children’s hospital. The Ukrainian authorities said yesterday that at least 20 people died and almost 100 others were injured, IPN reports.

The mayor of Kiev Vitali Klitschko noted that the flags on all the municipal buildings in the city are flown at half-mast on July 9. It is recommended to lower flags from state and private buildings. Any entertainment events are prohibited in the city.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday that Russia had hit Ukraine’s cities, and more than 170 people were wounded as a result of the attacks. Yesterday it was known about 37 dead people, including three children. In total, almost 100 buildings were damaged: a children’s hospital, residential houses, kindergartens, a maternity hospital, a college, a business center. The search under the rubble continues.

“The Russian terrorists must answer for this. Mere concern does not stop the terror. Compassion is not a weapon,” Zelensky added in a call to action directed at Ukraine’s partners. “It is necessary to shoot down Russian missiles. It is necessary to destroy Russian combat aircraft where they are based. It is necessary to take strong steps that will not leave any security deficit.”

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation has denied Kyiv’s statements about an intentional missile strike by Russia on civilian targets. According to the institution, the footage from Kyiv confirms “the destruction caused by the fall of a Ukrainian air defense missile.”

On Monday, Moldova’s President Maia Sandu condemned Russia’s attack on Ukraine’s largest children’s hospital. “War against children – this is how we must call what happened today in Kyiv, Russia’s bombing of a hospital for children suffering from incurable diseases,” noted the head of state.

The Mother and Child Institute in Chisinau sent a message of solidarity to their counterparts and partners in Ukraine. “With heavy hearts, we learned today about the devastating attacks on Okhmatdyt - the largest children’s hospital in the neighboring country. The loss of life and the damage are difficult to bear, and we stand by all those who have suffered in these difficult moments,” reads the message.