Zelensky Condemns Russian Drone Strikes on Kharkiv Maternity Hospital, Nine Injured

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported nine people were injured in a Russian drone strike that hit a maternity hospital in Kharkiv, calling the attack “yet another atrocity.”

Why it matters:

• Women and newborns were inside the maternity ward when the strike occurred.
• Zelensky warned that Russia is targeting life “even in the very places where it begins.”
• The attack adds urgency to Ukraine’s demand for enhanced air defense systems.

Driving the news:

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) , Zelensky shared details of the strike, stating that “nine people were injured as a result of a drone attack” in Kharkiv. The injured include women recovering from surgery and mothers with newborns, though no infants were harmed.

He also noted that overnight attacks targeted Dnipro, Mykolaiv, and Sumy, while fresh drone waves hit Odesa in the morning.

What he’s saying:

Between the lines:

Zelensky emphasized the importance of implementing recent international agreements on military aid, particularly in the area of air defense. He stated that Ukraine has received “positive signals” from allies and called for these to materialize into real investments in interceptor drone technology.

He also urged partners to pass a new round of sanctions targeting Russia’s ability to continue the war.

Meanwhile, in Washington:

President Donald Trump plans to use his executive authority to send a new tranche of U.S. weapons to Ukraine, according to Reuters. The aid would be delivered under the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), previously utilized by President Biden to expedite military support.

This marks a strategic shift from the Trump administration, which had been criticized for relying on leftover authorizations. The White House has yet to confirm if long-range ATACMS missiles will be included in the package.

The big picture:

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022 and has triggered ongoing U.S. military support totaling tens of billions of dollars. However, delays in further aid due to political shifts have created gaps in Ukraine’s defense, which Zelensky is now seeking to close urgently.

What to watch:

The Trump administration is expected to finalize the new arms list by Thursday. Officials believe it may include enhanced drone and air defense systems, aligning with Zelensky’s immediate requests.

Also read:
Russia-Ukraine Crisis Coverage →