Russian Airstrikes Demolish Maternity Hospital And Houses In Mariupol

Topline

Airstrikes and shelling destroyed several civilians buildings in Mariupol, including a maternity hospital in the port city on Wednesday, amid increasing warning from the West that Russia’s stalled invasion of Ukraine may lead to more indiscriminate and brutal attacks on civilians.

Key Facts

According to Ukrainian officials, the attack on the maternity hospital wounded at least 17 people.

Describing the attack as an “atrocity,” Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said children and others remained trapped under debris.

Photos from the city showed several people being buried in mass graves as the number of casualties across Mariupol continued to climb.

Ukrainian officials have said that nearly 200,000 people trapped in Mariupol want to escape the fighting, but Russia’s alleged shelling of humanitarian corridors have meant that only 2,000 to 3,000 are able to leave a day.

Crucial Quote

“Direct strike of Russian troops at the maternity hospital. People, children are under the wreckage. Atrocity! How much longer will the world be an accomplice ignoring terror?” Zelensky said in a post on Telegram. Later on Wednesday the Ukrainian President called the strike “final proof, proof of a genocide of Ukrainians taking place.”

Big Number

1,160. That’s the number of civilians who have been killed in Mariupol since the start of Russia’s invasion, Mariupol’s deputy mayor Sergiy Orlov said.

Further Reading

Live Updates: Russia Invades Ukraine (Forbes)

After a Week of Siege, Bloodied Mariupol Plans Mass Graves (New York Times)