Russia launched a heavy missile attack on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, severely damaging the country's largest children's hospital and killing at least 41 people, with over 150 wounded. This was the heaviest bombardment of Kyiv in nearly four months, affecting seven of the city's ten districts. In Kyiv alone, at least 27 people died, including three children.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed retaliation, stating on Telegram, "The Russian terrorists must answer for this." He also urged Western allies to respond strongly to the attacks. The Russian Ministry of Defence claimed responsibility for strikes on Ukraine's defense industry targets and aviation bases.

In Russia, a fire broke out at a power substation in the Rostov region due to drone attacks by Ukraine, according to Vasily Golubev, governor of the southern border region. Three Russian civilians were killed, and several others were wounded in the Belgorod border region after Ukrainian shells hit a village.

Ukraine's navy chief, Vice Admiral Oleksiy Neizhpapa, informed Reuters that the Russian navy's Black Sea Fleet had to relocate almost all its combat-ready warships from occupied Crimea due to Kyiv's attacks, rendering its main naval hub ineffective.

Politics and Diplomacy

Diplomats announced that the United Nations Security Council would convene on Tuesday at the request of the United Kingdom, France, Ecuador, Slovenia, and the United States.

US President Joe Biden condemned the missile strikes, calling them "a horrific reminder of Russia’s brutality." He mentioned that Washington and NATO allies would announce new measures at an upcoming summit to bolster Ukraine's air defenses.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, deplored the attacks, highlighting that Ukraine's sickest children were among the victims.

In Beijing, Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban met with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss a potential peace deal for Ukraine. Orban's visit was part of what he described as a "peace mission," which he undertook without the support of the European Commission or Ukraine.

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