Switzerland has condemned the bombing of a children's hospital in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol, calling it an "inconceivable act of inhumanity". Ukraine accused Russia of carrying out genocide, while the Kremlin said the bombing claim was fake “information terrorism”.
In a tweetExternal link published on Wednesday evening, the Swiss foreign ministry said it was appalled by the bombing of the children’s hospital, which had been supported by the Swiss authorities in the past.
“Switzerland harshly condemns this inconceivable act of inhumanity,” it wrote.
The foreign ministry called on Russia to “emphatically” comply with its obligations under international law and to stop shelling civilians and civilian facilities “immediately”.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy accused Russia of genocide after Ukrainian officials said Russian aircraft bombed the children’s hospital on Wednesday, burying patients in rubble despite a ceasefire deal for people to flee the city.
Local Ukrainian authorities said the hospital was hit several times, causing “colossal” destruction, and that 17 people were wounded. On Thursday, the city council of Mariupol said three people had died, including one child, in the attack.
“Fake news”
Russia meanwhile said on Thursday that the Ukrainian bombing claim was fake news because the building was a former maternity hospital that had long been taken over by troops.
“That’s how fake news is born,” Dmitry Polyanskiy, Russia’s first deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said on TwitterExternal link. Polyanskiy said Russia had warned on March 7 that the hospital had been turned into a military object from which Ukrainians were firing.
A Russian foreign ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, described the Ukrainian claim on Thursday as “information terrorism”. But another Kremlin spokesperson said on Thursday it would seek information from the Russian military about the matter.
Ukraine says it hopes to start evacuating civilians through a “humanitarian corridor” from Mariupol on Thursday.
Several previous attempts to establish a humanitarian corridor from Mariupol have failed, and people in the city of more than 400,000 people have been sheltering there without water or power for over a week.
Each side has blamed the other for the collapse of local ceasefires, including around Mariupol.
Russia’s war in Ukraine entered its third week on Thursday with none of its key stated objectives reached despite thousands of people killed, more than two million refugees, and thousands forced to cower in besieged cities under relentless bombardment.
Protein in abdominal fat could help shape obesity treatment
This content was published on
The study analysed fat cells from different locations in the body, and found that those in the abdomen have unique properties.
North African asylum claims fall after rapid Swiss processing
This content was published on
The accelerated procedure, now out of its test phase, has resulted in a significant drop in applications from North African countries.
This content was published on
The artist's song "The Code" focuses on their journey as a nonbinary individual. It is one of the favourites to win this year's contest.
Swiss climate activists block vehicles near Gotthard tunnel
This content was published on
Around ten climate activists briefly blocked the A2 motorway near the northern entrance of the Gotthard tunnel on Thursday.
Watches belonging to Michael Schumacher up for auction
This content was published on
Schumacher's family is auctioning off eight rare watches from his collection in Geneva. The Christie's auction will take place on Monday.
Joya Marleen and Baschi named best solo acts at Swiss Music Awards
This content was published on
St. Gallen singer Joya Marleen and Baschi from Basel were named artists of the year at the Swiss Music Awards 2024 on Wednesday night.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Will Russia’s leaders be brought to justice for Ukraine war crimes?
This content was published on
As the International Criminal Court opens an investigation on Ukraine, we look at the chances of Russia’s leaders being held to account for the war.
UN Human Rights Council backs Ukraine Commission of Inquiry
This content was published on
The UN Human Rights Council has passed a resolution condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and setting up a commission of inquiry.
‘The Euro-Atlantic security architecture is completely ruined’
This content was published on
An international security expert explains Switzerland's changing relationship with NATO and how the war in Ukraine has shaken up defence issues.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.