DISINFO: The destruction of the hospital in Kyiv was caused by a Ukrainian air defence missile
SUMMARY
The destruction of the hospital in Kyiv was caused by the fall of a Ukrainian air defence missile. This is not the first time that Kyiv has carried out similar provocations. Numerous photos and video frames published by Kyiv unequivocally confirm the fact that the destruction was due to the fall of a Ukrainian air defence missile launched from an anti-aircraft missile system within the city limits.
RESPONSE
The claim is false. Evidence, including wreckage found at the place and visual footage from different angles showing an intact missile falling on the hospital, points to Russia’s responsibility as part of a massive barrage attacking targets -many of them civilian- throughout Ukraine. Military experts have concluded unequivocally that the hospital was intentionally hit by a Russian missile, which Ukraine identified as a Kh-101 model launched from Russian aircraft Tu-95MS. The United Nations on 9 July 2024 said there was a "high likelihood" that the children's hospital in Kyiv suffered "a direct hit" from a Russian missile.
The episode was serious enough to lead to a UN Security Council meeting on 9 July 2024 at Ukraine's request. Online attempts to blame Ukraine for this incident have been debunked by professional fact-checkers ( see also here by Bellingcat).
Russia has a long background of falsely blaming others or denying its responsibility in face of war crimes and atrocities.
See similar cases claiming that Russia did not attack a children's hospital in Kyiv but only military facilities and air bases, that Russia only attacks military facilities in Ukraine, that Ukraine violates international humanitarian law while Russia respects it, that war crimes accusations are war propaganda against Russia, or that Ukraine staged fakes about Bucha, Mariupol and Kramatorsk.