Ukraine: Children’s hospital ‘completely destroyed’ by Russian bombs in Mariupol

Women in labour were injured and children are buried under the rubble, according to reports

A maternity and children’s hospital in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol has been destroyed by Russian air strikes, officials say.

At least 17 people have been wounded including women in labour and staff, according to Ukrainian authorities.

The city council said the damage was “colossal”.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strike as an “atrocity” and said there were children beneath the rubble.

He reiterated his call for Western nations to impose a no-fly zone over the country.

“How much longer will the world be an accomplice ignoring terror?” he tweeted.

“Close the sky right now! Stop the killings! You have power but you seem to be losing humanity.”

(NEXTA)

The hospital was reportedly hit by a series of blasts, which blew out windows and ripped away much of the front of one building.

Emergency teams were seen carrying out a bleeding, heavily pregnant woman on a stretcher.

Russia has denied targeting civilians – but Ukrainian authorities say at least 1,170 have been killed in Mariupol since the start of the invasion.

Bodies are being buried in a mass grave because morgues are full.

Russian troops have been laying siege to the southern port city for days.

Thousands of people have been without power, sanitation and basic necessities for almost a week.

According to president Zelensky, a child died of dehydration after the Russian military cut off the water supply.

There have been several attempts to get trapped residents out, but Ukraine says Russian shelling is still stopping people from leaving.

Ukraine: President Zelensky said the Russian military shelled a maternity hospital in Mariupol (Volodymyr Zelensky/Twitter)

It has accused Russian forces of breaking ceasefire agreements and bombing an evacuation route for civilians.

Ukraine’s foreign minister said Russia was holding over 400,000 residents “hostage” in the city, blocking aid and escape routes.

Dmytro Kuleba wrote on twitter: “Indiscriminate shelling continues. Almost 3,000 newborn babies lack medicine and food. I urge the world to act.”

Capturing Mariupol could allow Moscow to establish a land corridor to Crimea, which Russia seized from Ukraine in 2014.