Kremlin 'categorically' denies 'accusations of strike' on hospital in Kyiv

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russia "categorically" rejects accusations of a strike on a hospital in Kyiv, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a press briefing in Moscow, Peskov emphasized that the Russian military targets only military objects with high-precision weapons to avoid civilian casualties.

"We do not strike civilian targets. The strikes are carried out on critical infrastructure facilities, on military targets, one way or another related to the military potential of the Kyiv regime," he stressed.

The official pointed out that the Russian Defense Ministry commented on the situation in detail, explaining that the hospital was hit by the fall of an antimissile shell.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia on Monday of striking a children's hospital in Kyiv.

In response, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed that numerous photos and video footage from Kyiv "unequivocally" demonstrate the damage was caused by the fall of a Ukrainian air defense missile launched from an anti-aircraft missile system in the city.

Dmitry Polyansky, Russia's First Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, said the UN Security Council will meet later on Tuesday to discuss Ukraine, pledging to present "facts refuting Ukraine's version of the strike."

Independent verification of claims from both sides is challenging due to the ongoing conflict.

Turning to the upcoming NATO summit in Washington from July 9-11, Peskov said Moscow will follow the event "as closely as possible," noting that the alliance "considers Russia an enemy."

"This is an alliance that has repeatedly openly declared its goal to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia on the battlefield. And this is an alliance that is directly involved in the Ukrainian conflict on the side of Ukraine," he said.

The spokesman declined to comment on media reports claiming that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi allegedly agreed on the early dismissal of Indian citizens serving in the Russian army "by mistake" and fighting on Russia's side in Ukraine.

Asked about the prospects of Russia's relations with North Korea, Peskov said Moscow intends to further enhance and deepen relations with Pyongyang "in all possible spheres" following Putin's recent visit to the Asian country.