‘Huge disappointment’: Zelensky blasts Modi meeting with Putin the same day Russian attack devastates Ukraine hospital

 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Moscow as a "huge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts," on the same day a Russian missile hit a children's hospital in Kyiv.

Prime Minister Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin at his residence in Novo-Ogaryovo outside Moscow on Monday. Meanwhile, Russian missiles rained down on Ukrainian cities during the morning rush hour, killing at least 38 people and injuring 190 others.

This visit marks Modi's first trip to Russia since Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began nearly two and a half years ago. Images and videos from Monday showed the two leaders hugging, chatting over tea, riding in an electric vehicle, and watching a horse show.

“It is a huge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts to see the leader of the world’s largest democracy hug the world’s most bloody criminal in Moscow on such a day,” Zelensky posted on X, referring to the deadly Russian attacks.

Modi did not mention the strikes while addressing the Indian diaspora in Moscow on Tuesday. Instead, he praised the relationship between the two countries and announced the opening of two new consulates in Yekaterinburg and Kazan to "facilitate travel and business."

“No matter if the temperatures in Russia are in minus, Russia-India friendship has always been in plus,” Modi said. “This is a relationship built on a foundation of mutual trust and mutual respect.”

The large-scale daylight bombardment struck Kyiv and other cities, including Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Slovyansk, and Kramatorsk, many of which are heavily populated areas far from the front lines.

In Kyiv, 28 people were killed, including four children, according to Ukraine’s State Emergency Service. The strike on Kyiv’s Okhmatdyt hospital, Ukraine's largest children's medical center, resulted in two deaths and at least 16 injuries.

Videos from the scene showed volunteers working with police and security services to dig through the rubble as smoke billowed from the hospital. Search and rescue operations continued on Tuesday for people potentially trapped beneath the debris.

Hospital staff tried to rush the children to safety. Two children had been in the operating theaters at the time of the blast and were relocated to the basement shelter once their procedures were completed, a senior nurse told CNN. Another senior nurse, Iryna Filimonova, described an operation on a 2-year-old when the strike happened. "The lights went out, everything went out. We pulled out the instruments, shining flashlights. Everything was sewn up quickly," Filimonova said. "The baby was brought down (to the shelter). I immediately ran to help clear the rubble."

United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk said the blast forced medical workers to treat sick children outside the facility. Patients were "receiving treatment for cancer in hospital beds set up in parks and on streets, where medical workers had quickly established triage areas, amongst chaos, dust and debris," he said in a statement.

Russia’s defense ministry claimed that its forces struck "military-industrial facilities of Ukraine and air bases of the Ukrainian armed forces," with long-range, high-precision weapons. Without providing evidence, the Russian ministry also claimed that photos and videos from the hospital blast confirmed the damage was caused by a Ukrainian air defense missile.

Modi’s Russia visit

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for hosting him at his suburban residence near Moscow. Modi posted on X, expressing his anticipation for their talks, which he believes will further strengthen the friendship between India and Russia.

The official talks are scheduled to take place on Tuesday at the Kremlin. This visit highlights the close relationship between New Delhi and Moscow, despite Russia's increasing dependence on China and Western efforts to isolate Putin.

India has a long history of ties with Moscow and relies heavily on Russian military equipment. Additionally, India has increased its purchases of discounted Russian crude oil, providing a significant financial lifeline to Russia amidst Western sanctions.

Ahead of the visit, Modi's office released a statement indicating that the discussions will cover all aspects of bilateral cooperation and various regional and global issues. Modi expressed a desire to support a peaceful and stable region.

The United States has expressed concerns about India's relationship with Russia. A US State Department spokesperson noted that they have communicated their concerns to India and hope that during engagements with Russia, India would advocate for respect of the UN Charter and Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

While India has called for an end to hostilities in Ukraine and the restoration of peace, it has abstained from voting on UN resolutions regarding Ukraine and has not condemned Russia's invasion. This stance reflects India's effort to maintain a balance in its international relations.