Examination of how Russian forces hit a maternity and children’s hospital in Ukraine
City officials said at least 17 people were injured in the attack, including children, women and doctors. At least five people have died since the attack. Unmute Mute
“We were lying in rooms when the glass, frames, windows and walls separated. We don’t know how it happened. We were in our rooms and some had time to cover themselves. Some did not. These are the words of Mariana Vishegirskaya, a survivor of the attack, to The Associated Press (AP).
Vishegirskaya, pregnant and with a bloody face, is pictured here descending the stairs of the damaged building.
She gave birth the next day to a baby girl.
Among the injured was a pregnant woman who was pictured being carried on a stretcher. Neither she nor her baby could be saved, a surgeon who treated her later confirmed. The photo sent shock waves around the world.
When these stories of suffering emerged, Russian officials questioned their validity in news programs and online.
Although Vishegirskaya has spoken publicly about her experience at the AP, Russia has accused her and others of being actors, not actual victims. This is the claim that the Russian ambassador to the Netherlands makes in a Dutch news broadcast. Unmute Mute
AP later said its reporters at the scene saw no signs that the hospital was being used as anything other than a hospital, or anything to suggest Vishegirskaya was not a real patient.
Twitter says it has removed a number of tweets from the Russian Embassy in the UK for breaching its rules, “specifically our policies of hateful conduct and abusive behavior related to the denial of violent events”.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov walked back the original line – that this attack was justified – at the UN Security Council the day after the attack. He alleged that the hospital was a base for the Azov Battalion, which is integrated into the Ukrainian Armed Forces but was once an independent ultra-nationalist militia. Unmute Mute
World leaders condemned the attack on Mariupol Hospital No. 3, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
As well as the UN Secretary General, António Guterres.
US Vice President Kamala Harris called the attack “unprovoked” and “unwarranted”. Unmute Mute
At the time of publication, Mariupol continues to be under siege with civilian buildings still affected and many people at risk.
cnn
