Killarney-based Ukrainian woman Natalia Krasnenkova is one of the organisers of a peaceful protest in Tralee on Wednesday morning.

She is part of a group that wants to highlight that a Russian rocket attack resulted in the Ohmadit Children's Hospital in Kyiv.

Krasnenkova was one of the first Ukrainian refugees to arrive in Killarney. She has been very active in the community during that time.

“This action aims to remind the media, authorities, and residents that the war in Ukraine is still ongoing, and Ukrainian children are dying from rocket attacks on hospitals and residential buildings,” she told the Killarney Advertiser.

“Yesterday, 27 people, including ten children, were killed in a Russian missile attack on Kyiv. The Ohmadit Children's Hospital, part of a maternity hospital, and the entrance of a residential building were destroyed. Additionally, eight people were killed during the shelling of Kryvyi Rih.”
“Ukraine urgently needs more air defence systems to protect children's hospitals, residential buildings, and power plants that power entire cities.

“Air defence is not only military aid; it is humanitarian aid. We demand that Russia be declared a terrorist state and its ambassador expelled from Ireland. Justice should prevail not only in words but also in actions.”

“We invite everyone to bring old children's toys, posters, and photos of destroyed hospitals to the protest.”

The peaceful protest is scheduled for Wednesday, July 10, at 12:30 p.m. in the Square in Tralee.