BREAKING: A tragic Russian missile strike on a maternity hospital in Kamianske, Ukraine, has left one pregnant woman dead and her unborn child lost. The attack occurred early on July 31, 2023, as Diana Koshyk, 23, sought medical care at the hospital, unaware of the military activity just next door.
Diana was 26 weeks pregnant when she checked into City Hospital 9, desperately hoping for the safe delivery of her son, whom she and her husband, Oleksandr Koshyk, had named Damir. In a panic, she called Oleksandr shortly before the attack, informing him that a missile had struck the building across the street.
As she rushed for cover, the second missile hit, silencing her voice on the line. It was after 2 AM when Oleksandr, just 25 minutes away in the village of Auly, received the devastating news. Upon arrival, he found the maternity ward in chaos, with reports of casualties. It wasn’t long before he discovered Diana’s lifeless body covered by a sheet just outside the hospital.
“I couldn’t save her or the baby,” he lamented amidst the grief. “We were waiting for a son, and then in one minute, the … Russians.” His cries echoed the horror felt by many as the civilian toll of this conflict continues to rise.
The missiles targeted Kamianske shortly after a statement from U.S. President Donald Trump, who had given Russia a window of 10 to 12 days to agree to a ceasefire. Witnesses claim the missiles struck a former medical dispensary nearby, allegedly used as a military base despite its proximity to the maternity hospital. The indiscriminate nature of the attack raises serious concerns regarding international war conventions that prohibit military operations near civilian infrastructure.
Amidst the tragedy, Diana’s mother, Lina Dranko, expressed her anguish: “I wouldn’t have taken her to the maternity ward if I knew soldiers were near.” The attack not only shattered a family’s dreams but also highlighted the continuing peril faced by civilians in conflict zones.
As the community mourns, questions remain about accountability and the protection of civilians in warfare. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed responsibility for hitting several high-value military targets, yet the presence of a maternity hospital begs the question of responsibility for civilian safety.
On August 1, the community gathered for Diana’s funeral, a heart-wrenching farewell instead of a joyful celebration of new life. Family and friends surrounded her coffin, mourning not only the loss of Diana but also the life of her unborn child, Damir.
“I wish we had this gathering for Damir’s baptism instead of this,” Lina lamented through tears, capturing the profound sorrow that resonates in war-torn regions.
As the situation develops, the international community continues to call for accountability and protection for civilians caught in the crossfire. The conflict in Ukraine remains a dire reminder of the human cost of war, as families like Diana and Oleksandr’s are left to navigate profound loss amidst ongoing violence.
The world watches closely as the humanitarian crisis unfolds, hoping for a resolution that prioritizes human lives over military objectives.
