UKRAINE ENVOY DEMANDS ALL SOVEREIGN NATIONS CONDEMN RUSSIA'S MISSILE ATTACK ON KYIV

By Wan Muhammad Aslah Wan Razali

KUALA LUMPUR, July 11 (Bernama) -- The Charge d'Affaires ad interim of the Embassy of Ukraine in Malaysia, Denys Mykhailiuk, called on all sovereign nations including Malaysia to condemn Russia’s recent missile attack on civilian targets in Kyiv. 

Mykhailiuk also urged Malaysian humanitarian and non-governmental organisations to assist the Ukrainian people suffering from the bombardment.

“If there is the possibility to assist the people of Ukraine who are suffering from bombardment by Russian forces, we welcome any aid that you can give,” he said to Bernama. 

The missile attack on Monday (July 8) resulted in 37 fatalities and 140 injuries. Among the targets hit was the Ohmatdyt Children's Hospital, Ukraine’s largest pediatric facility, where at least two people were killed.

Mykhailiuk said during the attack, over 700 children were in the hospital, most of whom were evacuated to bomb shelters on the lower floors. 

However, some children could not be moved as they were in critical condition and dependent on medical apparatus. Since the attack, all patients of the Ohmatdyt Children's Hospital have been relocated to other hospitals, he said.

He noted that of 38 missiles launched at Kyiv, Ukrainian air defences intercepted 30. However, eight missiles struck the city, with evidence showing that the missiles used were highly sophisticated long-range cruise missiles, specifically the X-101s.

In contrast, Moscow has denied responsibility for the missile attack on the hospital. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov claimed that the hospital was hit by fragments of Ukraine’s air defence missiles.

“The evidence of the missile fragments and the serial numbers of the missiles which were found at the site was presented to the UN Security Council, and we have full footage of it. It was downtown in the city, just 400 metres from my house,” he said. 

In 2022, Malaysia voted in favour of the 11th Emergency Special Session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly which adopted the “Aggression Against Ukraine”, indicating its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.

“Malaysia may not have agreed to every single word in the resolution but Malaysia supported and voted in favour of it in line with the country’s long-standing position on the need to consistently uphold the principles of sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of states – principles which are sacrosanct to Malaysia,” said Wisma Putra in a statement after the vote.

Meanwhile, Mykhailiuk added that the hospital was visible from his home in Kyiv, and expressed relief that his family is safe and alive amidst the ongoing conflict.

-- BERNAMA