The aftermath of a Russian attack on the maternity hospital in the city of Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, on Feb. 1, 2026. (Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration)
Editor's note: This story is being updated.
Russian forces struck a maternity hospital in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia on Feb. 1, injuring at least six people, Governor Ivan Fedorov reported.
The governor shared footage from the site showing a damaged building with shattered windows and rising smoke. Authorities did not disclose further details.
"The strike on the maternity hospital is yet another proof of a war waged against life," Fedorov said.
The aftermath of a Russian attack on the maternity hospital in the city of Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, on Feb. 1, 2026. (Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration)
The aftermath of a Russian attack on the maternity hospital in the city of Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, on Feb. 1, 2026. (Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration)
Throughout the full-scale war, Russia has multiple times targeted maternity hospitals, alongside attacks on other civilian infrastructure. In 2022, Russian forces struck a maternity ward in Vilniansk in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, killing a two-day-old boy.
Kateryna Denisova is the reporter for the Kyiv Independent, specializing in Ukrainian politics. Based in Kyiv, she focuses on domestic affairs, parliament, and social issues. Kateryna began her career in journalism in 2020 and holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Before joining the team, she worked at the NV media outlet. Kateryna also studied at journalism schools in the Czech Republic and Germany.
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Polish authorities temporarily closed the airspace along the northern part of Poland's border with Belarus overnight on Jan. 30-31 after unidentified objects — believed to be Belarusian smuggling balloons — were detected in the region.
Russian Envoy Kirill Dmitriev held "productive and constructive meetings" with U.S. officials in Miami, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said on Jan. 31.
Russian State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin's threat comes a few days after Ukrainian, Russian, and U.S. officials held the latest round of peace talks in Abu Dhabi on Jan. 23-24.
The Air Force said on Jan. 31 that Russia launched 85 drones against Ukraine overnight, of which 55 were Shahed-type drones. It said that it had downed 64 drones in the north, south, and east of the country.
Ukraine says it is working with SpaceX to stop Russian drones from using Starlink, after reports that satellite-connected UAVs are extending their range to strike deeper into Ukrainian territory.
