Israel strongly condemns Russian strike that hit Babi Yar memorial complex in Ukraine

Russian forces on Wednesday have targeted TV tower in Kyiv that is adjacent to Babi Yar Holocaust Memorial Center, site of massacres carried out by Nazi forces on 29–30 September 1941 during WWII. Israeli and Jewish officials derided Russia for bombing ravine on outskirts of Kyiv. As many as 33,000 Jews were shot dead by Nazi-led squads in a campaign against Soviet Union and memorial is dedicated to holding Jewish casualties in memory. strike near Babi Yar Holocaust Memorial has angered Israelis, with some referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s claim made in state TV speech that he launched military operation in Ukraine to “denazify” Ukrainian government and stop a “gecide.”  

“To world: what is point of saying ‘never again’ for 80 years, if world stays silent when a bomb drops on same site of Babyn Yar? At least 5 killed. History repeating …” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on his official Twitter handle. He n anunced that over five people were killed in strike, according to Ukrainian defense minsitry. 

memorial center’s chairman, Natan Sharansky, issued a statement saying, “Putin seeks to distort and manipulate Holocaust to justify an illegal invasion of a sovereign democratic country is utterly abhorrent.” He went on to add, “It is symbolic that he starts attacking Kyiv by bombing site of Babyn Yar, biggest of Nazi massacre.” Ukraine's leader Zelenskyy, also Jewish, has lost some of his family members in holocaust during fight WWII.

"Security and wellbeing of civilians must be universally and absolutely respected. We continue to follow with grave concern outrous acts of aggression being perpetrated against civilian targets in Ukraine," said memorial center’s chairman, Israel's Natan Sharansky. 

Israel condemns 'attack on Jewish cemetery'

Israel's ministry of foreign affairs issued a statement to "condemn attack on Jewish cemetery near memorial site commemorating Holocaust of Jews of Kyiv and murder of Jewish people in Babi Yar." It added, "We call for preserving and respecting sanctity of site." Israel's foreign ministry furr informed that under direction of Foreign Minister Lapid, ambassador in Kyiv is in contact with site's manment and later, "when possible, we will assist in repairing dam. We continue to monitor events and express our regret for dam to human life. "

Israel strongly reacted to attack near its symbolic site. Yad Vashem Holocaust museum in Jerusalem condemned Russian strike, and urged international community “to safeguard civilian lives as well as se historical sites because of ir irreplaceable value.” “We continue to follow with grave concern outrous acts of aggression being perpetrated against civilian targets in Ukraine,” it asserted. 

While Russia maintained that it hasn't killed civilians in so-called ‘military operation’ against Ukraine, human rights groups slammed Russia for its indiscriminate and deadly attacks on civilian infrastructure. Moscow has argued that its armed forces are only bombing military infrastructure on Ukrainian side. In foot aired by Republic Media Network from ground, missiles and artillery shells were seen hitting residential areas in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Ukraine. One Indian national was also killed in Russian strike on urban settlements.