Russia launches hypersonic missile attack on children’s hospital in Kyiv

Vladimir Putin’s forces hit the capital on Monday morning, with rescuers desperately digging through the rubble for survivors.

Russia unleashed multiple ballistic and cruise rockets in the hideous ambush - which killed at least nine in Kyiv.

Putin’s ruthless army used Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, which fly at 10 times the speed of sound, Ukraine’s air force said.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia hit five cities with over 40 missiles in a “genocidal” attack.

His chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, accused Russia of “deliberately targeting” children.

Yermak raged: “They hit the children’s hospital. There are children. It is a terror that the world must see and respond to. This is genocide.”

A further 21 people were killed across Ukraine and 68 were injured.

Cities including Dnipro, Krivoy, Slovyansk and Kramatorsk were hit.

Heartbreaking pictures showed the site of Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital - with emergency responders working to rescue victims.

Officials in the besieged capital said at least a further nine people have been injured so far - but work at the scene continues.

Horrific pictures showed children wounded in the attack, with one wheeled into an ambulance on a stretcher as he sobbed.

Another chilling photograph shows a toddler covered in blood at a hospital.

A group of young cancer patients gathered with their parents and doctors, attached to drips as they watched on in horror.

Zelensky wrote on social media: “There are people under the rubble, and the exact number of casualties is still unknown.

“Right now, everyone is helping to clear the rubble - doctors and ordinary people.”

Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed the children’s medical facility was targeted in the devastating morning attack.

Civilians across Kyiv have been urged by officials to take shelter.

Pictures showed them huddling in a metro station.

Zelensky, who had been on a visit to Poland, said this morning: “More than 40 missiles of various types.

“Residential buildings, infrastructure, and a children’s hospital have been damaged.”

He later added: “Russia cannot help but know where its missiles are flying, and must fully answer for all its crimes: against people, against children, against humanity in general.

“It is very important that the world is not silent about this now and that everyone sees what Russia is, what she is doing.”

The president said the exact number of people killed is unclear.

In his home city, Krivoy, 10 were killed and 31 wounded.

The Okhmatdyt Hospital is known in Europe for its excellent medical care and is the largest children’s hospital in Ukraine.

Cancer patients are treated at the hospital - its toxicology and oncology departments were damaged in the hit.

One haunting clip shows a residential building in the Shevchenkovsky district of Kyiv hit in the waves of Russian strikes - where people, including children, are buried beneath the rubble.

A man says: “Friends, this is a residential building. It’s on fire, people are screaming.

“This is what Russian ******** are doing, that’s how they are fighting.

“That’s how they are fighting Ukrainian people. It’s the first time I see something like this.

“Look, people are screaming, there are attempts to save them. But, look, the whole staircase collapsed here.”

This story first appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission.