The Russian Embassy in Nigeria has dismissed claims made by Ukrainian Ambassador Ivan Kholostenko regarding the explosion at Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital in Kyiv on July 8.
The blast partially destroyed the hospital, resulting in at least 44 deaths and injuring numerous children already suffering from severe illnesses.
Russia was blamed for the attack and Kholostenko said the incident proved the ruthlessness and determination of the Russian government to destroy Ukraine and Ukrainians.
The Russian embassy, however, refuted these claims, asserting that Kholostenko’s comments “distort the facts and maliciously mislead readers.”
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Yury Paramonov, the embassy’s press officer, explained during a briefing in Abuja that the Russian Armed Forces had targeted Ukrainian military facilities on July 8 in response to attacks on Russian economic enterprises.
He maintained that their strikes were precise and avoided civilian infrastructure.
Paramonov claimed that it was a Ukrainian missile that veered off course and struck the hospital.
He specifically mentioned that a Western-made NASAMS missile was responsible for hitting the hospital building.
He accused pro-Bandera supporters of deliberately positioning air defense systems in residential areas, thereby using civilians as human shields.
The embassy also claimed that the Kyiv regime, with support from the United States and its satellites committed “heinous terrorist crimes” against civilians in Russia by firing missiles at Sevastopol, killing or injuring over 150 people, including children.
Paramonov emphasized that initiating ceasefire talks and peace negotiations requires the withdrawal of troops from the frontlines.
He claimed that Russia has made several attempts to engage in peace talks, both directly and through intermediaries, but has not received any response from Ukraine.
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