Key PointsUkraine has recovered the remains of a Russian missile that hit the children’s hospital in Kyiv.Modi expressed his criticism towards Russia during a meeting at the Kremlin.The UN Security Council has confronted Russia over the attack.
The death of innocent children is painful and terrifying, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has told Russian President Vladimir Putin a day after a lethal strike on a children’s hospital in Kyiv.
The pointed remark by the visiting Indian leader was an implicit rebuke to Putin, who moments earlier on Tuesday had welcomed him to the Kremlin with a warm statement on the importance of the strategic ties between the two countries.
“Whether it is war, conflict or a terrorist attack, any person who believes in humanity, is pained when there is loss of lives,” Modi said.
“But even in that, when innocent children are killed, the heart bleeds and that pain is very terrifying.”
Putin, speaking before Modi, said their two countries enjoyed a “particularly privileged strategic partnership” and thanked him for his efforts to find a peaceful solution to the war.
“I thank you for the attention you are paying to the most acute problems including trying to find ways to resolve the Ukrainian crisis, above all by peaceful means, of course,” he said.
Modi responded: “As a friend, I have always said that peace is necessary for our future generations. Solutions are not possible on the battleground. Amidst guns, bullets and bombs, peace talks cannot be successful. We have to find the path to peace only through talks.”
Ukraine says it has recovered fragments of a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile at the children’s hospital, which was hit on Monday during a wave of Russian attacks that killed at least 41 Ukrainians across the country.
Russia said, without providing evidence, that it was a Ukrainian anti-missile system that struck the hospital.
Russia confronted by UN Security Council over severity of attack on Kyiv
United Nations Security Council members have confronted Russia over the missile strike that destroyed part of Ukraine’s largest children’s hospital, pouring out condemnations at an emergency meeting chaired by the Russian ambassador.
Russia denies responsibility for the strike at the hospital, where at least two staffers were killed, and says it was likely hit by Ukrainian anti-missile fire.
France and Ecuador asked for the session at the Security Council but Russia led it as the current holder of the council’s rotating presidency, putting ambassador Vassily Nebenzia on the receiving end of the criticism.
“Mr President, please stop this war. It has been going on for too long,” Slovenian ambassador Samuel Zbogar appealed.
Russia denies responsibility for the strike at the hospital, where at least two staffers were killed, and says it was likely hit by Ukrainian anti-missile fire. Source: EPA / SARAH YENESEL
US ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield told colleagues that they were there “because Russia, a permanent member of the Security Council, current rotational president of the Security Council, attacked a children’s hospital”.
“Even uttering that phrase sends a chill down my spine,” she added.
Nebenzia characterised the slew of criticism as “verbal gymnastics” from countries trying to protect Ukraine’s government.
He reiterated Russian denials of responsibility for the hospital attack, insisting it was hit by a Ukrainian air defence rocket.
The strike on the Okhmatdyt children’s hospital was part of a massive daytime barrage in multiple cities, including the capital Kyiv.
Officials said at least 42 people were killed across the country.
The attack also damaged Ukraine’s main specialist hospital for women and hit key energy infrastructure.
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