Russian Ambassador to the United States, Anatoly Antonov, has vehemently denied accusations that Russia intentionally targeted a children's hospital in Kyiv. The claims, which have circulated widely among American officials and media, have been labeled by Antonov as "blatant anti-Russian propaganda."
According to Lenta Antonov criticized the U.S. response, stating that American officials and commentators have cynically exploited the tragedy to vilify Russia. He insisted that the missile strike, which hit the "Ohmatdyt" children's hospital, was actually the result of a malfunctioning Ukrainian air defense missile, not a deliberate Russian attack.
Counterclaims and Escalating Tensions
The Russian diplomat pointed out that similar incidents in the past have been falsely attributed to Russia by Ukrainian authorities. He emphasized that these erroneous claims serve to escalate tensions further, especially in the lead-up to significant diplomatic events, such as the upcoming NATO summit in Washington.
Adding to the controversy, American journalist Jackson Hinkle suggested that the missile that struck the hospital could have been a Patriot missile, part of the U.S.-supplied air defense systems used by Ukraine. Hinkle highlighted that Ukrainian forces have previously targeted hospitals in the Donbas region, drawing a parallel to the recent incident.
Calls for Cessation of Arms Supplies
Antonov called on the United States to halt its military support to Ukraine, arguing that the continued supply of weapons only results in more civilian casualties on both sides of the conflict. He suggested that the destruction of the hospital is being used by Western allies as a pretext for further military escalation.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden has promised to work with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to bolster Ukraine's air defense capabilities. This move, Biden stated, aims to protect Ukrainian cities and civilians from Russian missile attacks.
United Nations Involvement
In response to the hospital incident, Ukraine has requested an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Ukrainian President Zelensky, during his visit to Warsaw, called for the session to address the attacks on Kyiv. The UNSC meeting is set to take place on July 9.
Russian Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Dmitry Polyanskiy, indicated that Russia plans to present evidence countering the Ukrainian and Western narratives about the attack. He asserted that the UNSC meeting would be an opportunity for Russia to clarify the facts surrounding the incident.
