Ukrainian Army Grad rocket mortars hit hospital in Donetsk, several killed.

[another_liberal]

This OP will likely not please those of you who are firmly set in your extreme bias against the separatists of the Donetsk and Lugansk Republics. Since you seem to care nothing for the suffering of ethnic Russians and other people whose homes are in those regions, you might want to stop reading right here. Thank you.

4 killed, 18 injured as hospital, residential area shelled in Donetsk, E. Ukraine.

“The hospital became a nightmare,” said a patient who survived after a major medical institution in Donetsk was shelled by Ukrainian troops in a series of attacks on residential neighborhoods that resulted in four casualties throughout the city. “This is absurd,” 37-year old Dmitry Kozhur told AP correspondent on the ground. “We came here to keep living, but now we are risking death.”

One of the largest medical facilities in Donetsk, the Vishnevsky hospital №1, had its dentistry unit hit by a mortar shell on Thursday, with much of the second floor destroyed and burnt out as a result of the strike. “There was a sudden explosion,” witness Dr. Anna Kravtsova said. “A mortar round flew through the window.”

OSCE’s Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) that same day attended the hospital to register the damage done and speak with the survivors of the attack. “The SMM saw many evidently traumatized and crying civilians and medical staff,” the report reads. “Ten patients in their pajamas were outside the building. A doctor told the SMM that two civilians who had been standing outside the building at the time of the attack had been hit by shrapnel, one of whom, he said, had died.”

On top of its regular activities, the hospital has been providing treatment to civilians injured in the conflict. Several residential buildings have also been hit in the shelling. The local healthcare officials said in a statement the overall death toll was four people, while 18 were injured.

(snip)

Read more, and view videos of the aftermath, at: http://rt.com/news/178868-hospital-shelling-casualties-donetsk/

[NutmegYankee]

1. The Russian minority wasn't under attack before breaking away.

And it's not like other ethnic groups who don't have a homeland. The Russians have a massive homeland if they really don't want to live under Ukrainian control. This also isn't a Colony breaking away from the mother nation, as nearly every one has eventually done. This is a Secession like what the South did in 1861. Ukraine has every right to put down the rebellion just like we put down the Confederate States of America.

[another_liberal]

5. Again with the Confederacy allusions?

This area has a centuries-long history of ethnic, cultural, and national affiliation with Russia. Those links are, obviously, very strong still.

More importantly, who are we to judge the desires of ethnic minorities to no longer be a part of some groups national construct? The UN Charter enshrines the right of such minorities to seek self-government, and even total independence.

In regard to your Confederacy Parallel: Despite what I suppose must be Union sympathies, would you have supported the slash-and-burn tactics General Sherman employed in his infamous "March to the sea" across Georgia? If not, take a look at the most recent videos of what is happening in Lugansk and Donetsk, and reflect a minute on the tale they tell.

[NutmegYankee]

6. Yes, I do support General Sherman's tactics.

He did what was needed to disrupt the enemy supply lines and bring the war to an end. As for Union sympathy, yes I do have it. My family fought in Pennsylvania regiments.

As for international law, nations also have a right to put down insurrections. A minority can get local autonomy or separate if it is an action agreed to by both sides. This on the other hand is an armed insurrection. As to your discussion on damage to cities, look at WWII or any war that had a fight for control of a city. If an army chooses to fight in a city, the city will be greatly damaged.

[another_liberal]

7. At this point we part company . . .

Several of my ancestors fought for the Union cause in that war. One was left an invalid and another actually gave his life to preserve the Union; however, what Sherman did to the helpless civilians of Georgia and South Carolina was an abomination, and totally unnecessary to achieve the war aims you speak of in such sanitized terms.

The tactics employed by our despicable Ukrainian allies against the innocent people living in Donetsk and Lugansk are every bit as disgusting and inhuman. Sherman's troops at least had to risk their own lives to commit the atrocities they committed, Ukraine's fascists just stand off at a distance and use heavy artillery and air strikes to murder women and children on a daily basis.

[dembotoz]

2. tom lehrer song Werner von Braun--once they go up who know where they come down

thats not my department say Werner Von Braun

[another_liberal]

9. He was clearly ahead of his time.

[malaise]

3. Nothing to see here

just humanitarian aid - neo-liberal version.

[another_liberal]

8. Of course . . .

That is not exactly how history will record these events.

(Want to guess the name of the singular Super Power which will forever be cast in the role of greedy, uncaring villain?)

[malaise]

12. Ha

Not hard at all but never forget they lied to their sheeple about WWII as well, but they actually know the truth.

[SidDithers]

4. ... according to RT...nt

Sid

[redgreenandblue]

11. Hamas must have been firing rockets from that hospital...

...oh, wait.