Putin Sparks New World War III Fears After ‘Daring NATO’ in Latest Airstrike Attack

Vladimir Putin's latest action in Ukraine is “daring NATO” to retaliate, a top official has warned after one of Russia's deadliest airstrikes in the war.

On July 8, Russia launched a series of missile strikes on Kyiv and other cities, killing at least 37 people, including three children, and injuring more than 170.

The strikes obliterated Okhmatdyt Children's Hospital, Ukraine's main pediatric facility.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported swift efforts to clear the rubble from nearly 100 damaged sites, including numerous civilian buildings.

He posted on X: "In total, nearly 100 facilities were damaged, including a children's hospital, ordinary houses, kindergartens, a maternity hospital, a college, and a business center. The rubble is still being cleared at these sites."

In response, Michael McFaul, former US ambassador to Russia, warned that Putin is taunting NATO and urged the alliance to respond. He posted on X: "Putin is daring NATO. I hope the response from the alliance this week will be strong."

Zelensky also called for a response from Western allies, warning of a "powerful response" to Russia's brutal airstrikes.

He said: "[We] will retaliate against these people, we will deliver a powerful response from our side to Russia, for sure. The question to our partners is: Can they respond?"

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas condemned Russia's strike on the children's hospital, calling the perpetrators "war criminals" and reaffirming support for Ukraine.

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She wrote on X: "Shocking images as Russian missiles hit Okhmatdyt Hospital, Ukraine’s largest children's hospital. It's a reminder of why we must support Ukraine and why outright Russian war criminals must be held to account."

US President Joe Biden echoed this sentiment, expressing his continued support for Ukraine and condemning the strikes as a "horrific reminder of Russia's brutality."

In a statement, he said: "It is critical that the world continues to stand with Ukraine at this important moment and that we not ignore Russian aggression."