Explaining complex things in simple words: Summary of Russian attack on Kyiv, Strengthening air defence of Ukraine, Need to abolish restrictions for self-defence

The Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security pursues efforts to provide a brief explanation to foreign audiences on the current topics of particular interest as regards Ukraine.     

1. SUMMARY OF THE RUSSIAN ATTACK ON KYIV

On July 10, rescue and recovery works were completed in Kyiv after the Russian missile attack on July 8.

  •     As a result of the Russian shelling of the capital of Ukraine, 33 civilians were killed (including 5 children), and 121 people (including 10 children) were injured to various degrees of severity.
  •     Rescue works lasted two days. It was possible to save 11 people alive from the rubble of destroyed buildings, including children.
  •     The largest number of victims was the result of an attack on a residential building in the Shevchenkivskyi district. The entire entrance was destroyed, 13 people died, including a whole family: a mother, a son, 10 years old, and a daughter, 9 years old.
  •     The Russian Kh-101 missile destroyed the resuscitation and chronic intoxication departments of the Okhmatdyt Children's Hospital, and damaged other buildings. At the time of the attack, there were more than 600 patients in the hospital, and almost as many employees; three complex operations were being performed. The children were on drips, on dialysis, and in intensive care.
  •     Already when it became known about the tragedy in Okhmatdyt, a second wave of Russian missiles attacked another medical facility. ADONIS private clinic was destroyed: 9 people died, including staff and patients.

2. STRENGTHENING AIR DEFENCE OF UKRAINE

On July 9, on the sidelines of the NATO Washington Summit, Ukraine, the United States, the Netherlands, Germany, Romania, and Italy signed a joint statement on strengthening Ukraine's air defence.

  •     Barbaric Russian attacks by missiles, guided bombs and drones on Ukrainian cities; the destruction of residential buildings, and hospitals; the killing of children, all this makes protecting the sky a priority task for Ukraine and its partners.
  •     Partners are strengthening the strategic component of Ukraine's air defence: 4 Patriots systems (already provided by Germany and expected from the United States, Romania, and the Netherlands) and a SAMP/T system from Italy.
  •     In the coming months, the United States and its allies (in particular, Canada, Norway, Spain, United Kingdom) will provide Ukraine with dozens of tactical air defence systems: NASAMS, HAWK, IRIS T-SLM, IRIS T- SLS and Gepard.
  •     This will help significantly strengthen Ukrainian air defence to protect cities, civilians, and soldiers.
  •     There is close cooperation with partners so that these systems can be used as soon as possible.

3. NEED TO ABOLISH RESTRICTIONS FOR SELF-DEFENCE

  •     President Volodymyr Zelenskyy calls on the United States to lift all restrictions on the use of their weapons for military targets on Russian Federation territory.
  •     Ukraine seeks not to take revenge for Russian terror, but to increase the effectiveness of self-defence. As before, the Defence Forces of Ukraine strictly observe international humanitarian law.
  •     Permission to attack Russian airbases can solve the problem of the enemy's use of guided bombs in our border settlements, in particular, in Kharkiv.
  •     There is already practical experience when the cancellation of unjustified restrictions significantly strengthened the capabilities of the Defence Forces. The permission to attack the Russian troops in the border areas made it possible to stop the Russian offensive in the Kharkiv region.
  •     We call on the United States to show leadership and initiative, instead of waiting and procrastinating, which lead to defeats and casualties.