Ukraine’s largest children’s hospital was destroyed by a Russian missile on Monday, shaking Kyiv, the capital, with images of bloodied and injured children, and sending hundreds racing to the scene to help clear twisted metal and smashed concrete in a desperate search for survivors.
A Russian Kh-101 cruise missile hit the Okhmatdyt Children's Hospital in central Kyiv during a wider series of missile strikes targeting critical Ukrainian infrastructure throughout the day on July 8
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin called on July 8 for Russia to increase its domestic production of drones fivefold by 2030.[58] Mishustin stated that Russia needs to localize the production of popular drone models as much as possible and that the Russian government is discussing the establishment of grants and subsidies for drone design, research, and production centers.
Russian authorities continue cryptomobilization efforts in occupied Ukraine likely aimed at building out Russian reserves. The Ukrainian Resistance Center stated on July 8 that Russian occupation officials in occupied Kherson Oblast approved a plan to develop a "Cossack" cooperative that includes all male inhabitants of occupied Kherson Oblast.[59] Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law in March 2024 allowing members of the All-Russian Cossack Society who are in the Russian military, Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), and Federal Security Service (FSB) reserves to join the mobilization reserve.[60] Putin also notably transferred control of the Cossack Cadet corps to the jurisdiction of the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) in June 2024, and it is likely that Cossack organizations in occupied Ukraine will also fall under the control of the MoD.[61]
www.understandingwar.org/...
The hospital strike was part of a barrage of bombings by Moscow across the country, including one of its deadliest assaults on Kyiv since the first months of the war. At least 38 people were killed across the country, including 27 in Kyiv. More than 100 people were injured. The Ukrainian air force said it shot down 30 out of the 38 missiles launched by Russia during the attack, which began in the midmorning.
“The attack was massive, combined with the use of aerial, ballistic and cruise missiles,” said Serhii Popko, the head of the Kyiv military administration. “The missiles flew at the capital in waves and from different directions.”
At the hospital, one doctor and another adult were killed and at least 10 more people were injured, including seven children, local officials said. At least three children were pulled from the rubble, Ukraine’s emergency services agency said.
www.nytimes.com/...
Ukraine and Poland signed a bilateral security agreement on July 8. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk met in Warsaw, Poland on July 8 and signed a bilateral security agreement that affirms Poland's support of Ukraine and promises cooperation in the security, defense, military, political, and economic fields.[67] The bilateral security agreement also states that Poland will consider transferring one squadron (at least 14 aircraft) of MiG-29 fighter aircraft to Ukraine and that Poland and Ukraine will discuss with their allies the possibility of Polish air defenses intercepting missiles and drones flying towards Poland over Ukrainian territory. The bilateral agreement also affirms Poland's support for Ukraine's accession into the European Union (EU).
Ukraine's allies continue to provide Ukraine with additional military assistance. The United Kingdom (UK) Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced a new package of military support to Ukraine on July 7 including 250,000 rounds of 50mm small arms ammunition, 90 anti-armor Brimstone missiles, 50 small boats, 40 demining vehicles, 10 AS-90 155mm artillery systems, 32 new barrels for Ukraine's current AS-90 systems, and 61 bulldozers to construct defensive structures.[68] New UK Defense Minister John Healy stated that the UK is also expediting prior military assistance pledged in April 2024 to arrive within the next 100 days (by roughly October 14).[69] German Ambassador to Ukraine Martin Jaeger announced on July 5 that the third Patriot air defense system from Germany arrived in Ukraine.[70] The Latvian MoD announced on July 5 that it will transfer 2,500 drones worth four million euros (about $4.3 million) to Ukraine in July 2024 through the Ukraine Drone Coalition and that the first batch of these drones will arrive in the coming days.[71]
www.understandingwar.org/...
- A Russian Kh-101 cruise missile hit the Okhmatdyt Children's Hospital in central Kyiv during a wider series of missile strikes targeting critical Ukrainian infrastructure throughout the day on July 8.
- Russian officials and information space actors are attempting to deflect responsibility for the Okhmatdyt Children's Hospital strike by making false claims about the missiles involved and the state of the hospital — all contrary to available evidence.
- The July 8 Russian missile strikes likely employed a new and noteworthy tactic to maximize the damage from such strike series.
- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and People's Republic of China (PRC) President Xi Jinping continued to posture themselves as potential mediators to an end to the war in Ukraine during a July 8 meeting in Beijing, despite Russian President Vladimir Putin's rejection of serious negotiations or any third-party mediation.
- Russian Vice Admiral Sergei Lipilin replaced Vice Admiral Vladimir Vorobyov as Russian Baltic Fleet Commander.
- Ukrainian forces recently regained lost positions in Chasiv Yar, and Russian forces recently advanced near Donetsk City and in western Zaporizhia Oblast.
- Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin called on July 8 for Russia to increase its domestic production of drones fivefold by 2030.
Russian forces continued offensive operations along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line on July 8 but did not make any confirmed advances. ... Russian forces have recently conducted several strikes against bridges over the Oskil River, likely in an effort to make the Ukrainian presence on the east (left) bank more untenable.[35] ... The Ukrainian General Staff reported Russian ground attacks northeast of Kupyansk near Synkivka; southeast of Kupyansk near Pishchane, Stepova Novoselivka, and Berestove; northwest of Svatove near Stelmakhivka; northwest of Kreminna near Makiivka, Hrekivka, Nevske, and Terny; west of Kreminna near Torske; and southwest of Kreminna in the Serebryanske forest area.[37]