Thank you, Madam Chair. On the morning of 8 July, Russia launched
yet another prolonged, deadly missile attack against cities
across Ukraine, including Kyiv, Dnipro and Kryvyi Rih. President
Zelenskyy said that over 40 missiles, including Kinzhal ballistic
missiles, were used in the attack. At least 41 people have so far
been confirmed dead, with over 170 more injured, although that
number is, tragically, likely to rise further.
In Kyiv, the Okhmatdyt children's hospital – which is the biggest
children's medical facility in Ukraine and the country's primary
provider of specialist paediatric care – was among the buildings
struck. There can be no justification for attacks against
children. As the UK Prime Minister, , has said: “Attacking
innocent children. The most depraved of actions. We stand
with Ukraine against Russian aggression – our support won't
falter.”
This is the latest in a pattern of Russian attacks against
Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure. According to the UN Human
Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, the month of May saw the
highest number of civilian deaths for almost a year. Other
attacks this year have targeted energy infrastructure
relentlessly, wiping out 9 GW of Ukraine's energy capacity and
forcing the Ukrainian authorities to implement rolling blackouts
across the country. Russia's armed forces are killing and
injuring civilians– and deliberately trying to deprive them of
heat, light and water.
Yesterday's attack against the Okhmatdyt children's hospital was
not an isolated incident. Between December 2023 and April 2024,
there has been a fivefold increase in attacks on healthcare
facilities in Ukraine. Colleagues, intentionally directing
attacks against civilians and civilian objects constitute war
crimes. Russia must uphold its obligations under international
humanitarian law, including in relation to the protection of
civilians, and the special protections afforded to hospitals.
Madam Chair, last week after a General Election, a new government
took office in the UK under Prime Minister . The Prime Minister, on his
first afternoon in office, spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr
Zelenskyy and reiterated the UK's unwavering commitment to
Ukraine in the face of Russia's aggression. The change of
government will make no difference to the UK's steadfast support
for Ukraine.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
