Russian Troops Bomb Children’s and Maternity Hospital During Ceasefire in Ukrainian City Mariupol
- Russian troops attacked a children's and maternity hospital in the city of Mariupol on Wednesday, 9 March
- Ukrainian President Voldymoyr Zelensky has labelled the actions of Russia's military an act of genocide and called for sanctions on Russia
- Social media users were left angered by the attack on the children's hospital, with some people finding the bombing despicable
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MARIUPOL - It has officially been two weeks since Russian troops invaded its neighbouring country Ukraine and the carnage of the war is getting worse.
Ukrainian President Voldymoyr Zelensky is now accusing Russia of genocide after a children's and maternity hospital in the city of Mariupol was bombed by Russian troops during what was meant to be a ceasefire on Wednesday, 9 March.
Source: Getty Images
The hospital was hit by a Russian aircraft when the humanitarian corridors were supposed to be open to allow civilians in Mariupol the opportunity to evacuate, reports News24.
According to Zelensky, the attack on the children's hospital left patients buried under the rubble. Women in labour, as well as children, are said to have been injured in the attack.
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Zelensky has condemned Russia and questioned the kind of threat the children's hospital supposedly posed to Russia.
"What kind of country is this, the Russian Federation, which is afraid of hospitals, is afraid of maternity hospitals, and destroys them?" asked Zelensky.
In a media briefing, Zelensky called on Western countries to place more sanctions on Russia, stating that the bombing of the hospital is proof that there is genocide taking place in Ukraine at the hands of Russia.
According to Al Jazeera, the children's hospital was struck multiple times by Russian troops and a total of 17 casualties were reported.
Footage circulating on the internet shows the police and military rushed to the site to extract casualties, including a very pregnant and bleeding lady who was carried out on a stretcher. Another woman is seen wailing as she clutches her child while mangled cars and buildings are burning in the surrounding area.
Some of the footage:
Netizens share their thoughts on the bombing of a children's hospital
@touche1981 said:
"This is just sick. Striking hospitals! With children! Cowards!"
@SusanBr25015113 said:
"This is so disgusting. Putin’s a genocidal monster deliberately slaughtering women & babies. At what point do we stop watching him commit these sickening war crimes and do something to stop him? Our cowardly inaction is shameful & pathetic."
@KhuleShangase said:
"But one day Putin and his soldiers will meet God, shame on you Putin you have innocent blood on your hands."
@Sebitlo1 said:
"Zelensky must remove snipers with anti-aircraft missiles from hospital rooftops. Otherwise, by the time the war ends, there will be no hospital left in Ukraine."
@TartanDragonNL said:
"Dear Russian soldiers. 'We were only following orders' didn't work in 1945 and it won't work in 2022. If you target children in hospitals, you are committing a war crime. There's no defence for any of this and you will be tried for it."
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YEN.com.gh previously reported that the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, has sent a congratulatory message as Ghana commemorates 65th Independence Day today [Sunday], March 6.
The president's well-wishes come amid Russia's ''unprovoked'' invasion of neighbouring Ukraine on Thursday, February 24, leaving Ghanaian students and other nationals stranded in the European country.
In a statement issued on Sunday, sanctioned by the Kremlin, President Putin reiterated the friendship between Russia and Ghana.
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Nathaniel Crabbe (Human-Interest editor) Nathaniel Crabbe is a journalist and editor with a degree in Journalism from the Ghana Institute of Journalism, where he graduated in 2015. He earned his master's from UPSA in December 2023. Before becoming an editor/writer of political/entertainment and human interest stories at Asaase Radio, Crabbe was a news reporter at TV3 Ghana. With experience spanning over ten years, he now works at YEN.com.gh as a human interest editor. You can reach him via nathaniel.crabbe@yen.com.gh.
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