Biden says deadly missile strikes in Ukraine are ‘horrific reminder of Russia’s brutality’
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WASHINGTON - US President Joe Biden said on July 8 that deadly Russian missile strikes in Ukraine, including on the main children’s hospital in Kyiv, were “a horrific reminder of Russia’s brutality”.
Russia blasted the hospital in Kyiv with a missile in broad daylight on July 8 and rained down missiles on other cities across Ukraine, killing at least 36 civilians
Washington has been the biggest supporter of Ukraine amid Russia’s invasion that began in February 2022. The US has provided Ukraine with more than US$50 billion (S$67.5 billion) in military aid since 2022.
As world leaders prepare to head to a Nato summit that starts on July 9 in Washington, Ukraine has called on Kyiv’s partners to give a firm response to July 8’s attack.
“Russia’s missile strikes that today killed dozens of Ukrainian civilians and caused damage and casualties at Kyiv’s largest children’s hospital are a horrific reminder of Russia’s brutality,” Mr Biden said in a statement released by the White House.
Mr Biden added in his statement that Washington and its North Atlantic Treaty Organisation allies will be announcing this week new measures to strengthen Ukraine's air defences.
“It is critical that the world continues to stand with Ukraine at this important moment and that we not ignore Russian aggression,” Mr Biden said.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine would retaliate and called on Kyiv's Western allies to give a firm response to the attack.
Moscow has repeatedly denied targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, although its attacks have killed thousands of civilians since it launched its invasion.
The Russian Defence Ministry said its forces had carried out strikes on defence industry targets and aviation bases in Ukraine. REUTERS
