Barbaric and heart-wrenching: UNI condemns Russian strike on Kyiv children’s hospital

UNI Global Union strongly condemns the deplorable wave of Russian attacks across Ukraine this week that killed at least 36 people and left many others injured. Russian forces have indiscriminately bombed civilian infrastructure and residential areas—including Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital in Kyiv.

Christy Hoffman, General Secretary of UNI Global Union, visited the hospital as part of an international trade union delegation in May.

“When we visited Okhmatdyt Hospital, we heard care workers’ struggles to save lives while being under resourced, understaffed and under constant threat of bombs. We saw the war’s devastating impact on children. To have this place of healing turned into rubble is the result of unspeakable cruelty and an affront to humanity,” Hoffman said. “Our hearts are with the patients and their families enduring this heart-wrenching situation.

“The suffering endured by the people of Ukraine, especially the children, is a stark reminder of the urgent need for a just resolution of this war. We condemn these atrocities and demand justice in the face of this depravity.”

The ITUC condemned these attacks as well with General Secretary Luc Triangle saying, “Attacks like this on civilian infrastructure and public services are never justified, whether in Ukraine or anywhere else. This kind of brutality against innocent children and civilians must not go unpunished.”

Photo description: Near the Okhmatdyt children’s hospital in Kyiv after a Russian missile attack on 8 July 2024.

Photo credit: State Emergency Service Ukraine, WikiCommons.