VIENNA, July 12, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - The governing body of the UN nuclear
watchdog passed a resolution Friday, expressing "serious concern" over
Russia's strike that shattered a children's hospital in Kyiv earlier this
week.

The deadly attack on the Okhmatdyt paediatric hospital on Monday sparked
international condemnation, with Kyiv requesting the International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA) to hold an emergency meeting.

The attack killed two adults and wounded 32 more, with eight children being
hospitalised, according to the Ukrainian interior ministry.

The hospital receives technical cooperation support by the IAEA to treat
cancer patients, including through a radiology centre.

In the resolution which passed Friday, the IAEA's 35-nation board of
governors voiced "serious concern" over Russia's attack on the hospital,
stressing its "vital role" in the treatment of paediatric cancer in Ukraine.

The board also "condemned in the strongest terms" the disruption of the
agency's technical assistance to Ukraine due to Moscow's strike.

The resolution brought by Ukraine was approved by 20 of the agency's board
members, two diplomats told AFP. Russia and China voted against.

Twelve countries abstained from the vote, while Paraguay did not participate.

The European Union said in its statement to the meeting that it "strongly
condemns the escalation of hostilities by Russia", adding the attack on the
children's hospital had "severe consequences on the health of many children
awaiting treatment".

Earlier this week, the IAEA said on X that Ukraine had informed the agency
that "no radioactive sources were present" in the Okhmatdyt hospital at the
time of the attack.

IAEA chief Rafael Grossi added there were "no nuclear safety or security
risks" at the hospital.

According to Ukraine, a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile had smashed into the
renowned children's hospital, but Moscow blamed Ukrainian air defence
systems.

The Kremlin repeated on Tuesday its claims that Russian forces only target
military infrastructure and deferred further questions to the defence
ministry.