Pictures and videos posted on social media showed the wrecked remains of part of the Okhmatdyt Children's Hospital. Others showed medical staff and parents carrying sick children, some apparently suffering from cancer, away from the bomb site.

Although Russia has targeted Ukraine with missile strikes frequently, Monday’s attacks were unusual given they took place in daylight on Monday morning during the rush hour.

Taking to the X platform to condemn the attack on the hospital, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote: “Now that the hospital has been damaged by a Russian strike, there are people under the rubble, and the exact number of casualties is still unknown. Right now, everyone is helping to clear the rubble – doctors and ordinary people.

“Russia cannot claim ignorance of where its missiles are flying and must be held fully accountable for all its crimes. Against people, against children, against humanity in general. It is very important that the world does not remain silent about this now, and that everyone sees what Russia is and what it is doing."

He added that around 40 missiles had been used to hit Ukrainian cities.

Ihor Klymenko, Ukraine’s interior minister, said that the attack on Kyiv had killed seven and left 25 wounded.

“The Russians have also attacked Dnipro, Crooked Horn, Donetsk region,” he wrote on the Telegram social media site.

Do Russians still not understand that Ukraine is probably going to spend 30 years hunting each and every Russian responsible for these things?

It's likely going to make Mossad look like the Teletubbies.

Children's hospital, Kyiv. pic.twitter.com/nYgz6M1NLV

— Jay in Kyiv (@JayinKyiv) July 8, 2024

“Seven dead and 25 wounded are currently known as a result of the attack on Kyiv. Our services on the ground are doing everything to rescue people from under the rubble.”

Okhmatdyt Children's Hospital in Kyiv. One of the most important CHILDREN’S hospitals not only in Ukraine, but also in Europe. Okhmatdyt has been saving and restoring the health of thousands of children.

Now that the hospital has been damaged by a Russian strike, there are… pic.twitter.com/TmRlUmSBri

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 8, 2024

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko described the attack on the capital as one of the most intense since Russia’s invasion began in February 2022.

“We hear voices, people are under the rubble,” he told Reuters.

Infrastructure damage

DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private energy producer, reported that three electricity substations and networks in Kyiv were damaged in the latest Russian missile strike.

The Ukrainian power grid has sustained significant damage from ongoing Russian bombardments over the past four months.

The attacks come as Zelenskyy prepares to travel to Washington for a key NATO summit which starts on Tuesday.