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Civilians were celebrating Palm Sunday when two ballistic missiles landed in the heart of the northeastern city of Sumy
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At least 34 civilians, including two children, have been killed and 117 more injured in a Russian missile strike on the city of Sumy, according to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.
Two ballistic missiles struck the heart of the city as people walked to church to celebrate Palm Sunday.
Fifteen children were among the civilians injured in “cars, public transport, in houses” after the direct hit on the bustling city on Sunday morning.
“Only scoundrels can act like this. Taking the lives of ordinary people,” President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on social media, alongside a chilling video which showed corpses on the ground, a destroyed bus and burnt-out cars in the middle of a sunny square.
Zelensky added: “The United States, Europe, everyone in the world who wants an end to this war and murders. Russia wants exactly this kind of terror and is dragging out this war. Without pressure on the aggressor, peace is impossible.”
The strike comes less than a day after Russia and Ukraine’s top diplomats accused each other of violating a tentative US-brokered deal to pause strikes on energy infrastructure, underscoring the challenges of negotiating an end to the three-year war.
Oleksandr Prokudin, the head of the Kherson Regional Military Administration, revealed that works were ongoing to rebuild the war-torn region.
“The scale of destruction in the Kherson region is devastating and grows daily. In total, about 35,000 civilian objects, including homes, schools, kindergartens, and hospitals, have been damaged or destroyed,” Prokudin stated on Ukrainian television.
Despite the ongoing daily attacks by the Russian army, Prokudin emphasised that restoration efforts in the region have not ceased. To date, over 5,700 civilian objects have been rebuilt.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the Russian strike on Sumy, saying such attacks show the extent of Russia’s so-called “readiness” for peace.
“Footage from Sumy, where Russian missiles killed innocent civilians on Palm Sunday, is horrifying. Our thoughts are with the families of the dead and wounded. Germany strongly condemns this barbaric attack,” Scholz wrote on his X account.
According to the chancellor, such attacks demonstrate Russia’s “alleged readiness for peace” — while in reality, it continues its war of aggression against Ukraine.
“This war must end, and Russia must finally agree to a full ceasefire. We are working toward that with our European and international partners,” Scholz added.
US Special Presidential Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg said that today’s Russian attack on civilian targets in Sumy on Palm Sunday “crosses any line of decency.”
“As a former military leader, I understand targeting and this is wrong. It is why President Trump is working hard to end this war,” Kellogg wrote on X.
Russian forces struck central Sumy with two ballistic missiles loaded with cluster munitions to inflict maximum damage to civilians; most were heading to church on a sunny Sunday morning.
According to the latest data from Ukraine’s State Emergency Service, the missile strike killed 32 people and injured 99 others, including 11 children.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote that “Russian cruelty struck again,” calling the Sumy attack “barbaric” in a post on X.
“This morning, Russian cruelty struck again, killing men, women and children in the city of Sumy. A barbaric attack, made even more vile as people gathered peacefully to celebrate Palm Sunday.
“This latest escalation is a grim reminder: Russia was and remains the aggressor, in blatant violation of international law. Strong measures are urgently needed to enforce a ceasefire.
“Europe will continue to reach out to partners and maintain strong pressure on Russia until the bloodshed ends and a just and lasting peace is achieved, on Ukraine’s terms and conditions. The victims of today’s attack, their families, and all Ukrainians are in our hearts.
“Today and every day. Europe stands with Ukraine and President Zelensky.”
Russians attacked a hospital in the town of Semenivka, Chernihiv Oblast, using strike UAVs on 13 April. The attack caused damage and injured a nurse.
“The Russians have attacked the hospital again, using strike drones. There is destruction – the intensive care and dental units have been damaged,” Viacheslav Chaus, Head of Chernihiv Oblast Military Administration, said on Telegram.
“A medical worker, a nurse from Semenivka City Hospital, has been injured.”
The people who were caught in Sunday’s strike were out on the street or inside cars, public transport and buildings when the missiles hit, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said.
“Deliberate destruction of civilians on an important church feast day,” he wrote.
Andriy Yermak, Zelenskiy’s chief of staff, said the missiles contained cluster munitions. “The Russians are doing this to kill as many civilians as possible,” he said.
Maryana Bezuhla, an outspoken Ukrainian lawmaker known for her sharp public criticism of military commanders, suggested on the Telegram app that the attack had taken place due to information about a gathering of soldiers leaking out.
The Independent was not able to verify that information.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have accused Russia of merely sowing fear after their ballistic missile strike on Sumy.
The force said on Facebook: “Failure to achieve strategic success on the battlefield, the enemy is back to its usual tactics – fighting civilians, grossly violating international law, laws and custom warfare.
“Russia once again demonstrates: it does not seek peace. Her purpose is to sow fear. But Russia will receive only our rage and irreversible retaliation. Our response will be harsh.
“We will destroy the invaders, their military facilities, weapons and equipment wherever they are.
“Russian war crimes have no expiration date. Criminals must receive their deserved punishment. Glory to Ukraine!”
The State Emergency Service of Ukraine have updated the latest death toll in Sumy.
They said as of 6pm local time: “34 people have died, including 2 children.
“117 people have been injured, including 15 children.
“We express our sincere condolences to the families of the deceased. This is an irreparable loss for the entire country.”
The British Prime Minister has expressed his disgust at Russia’s Sumy missile strikes that killed at least 32 people including two children.
Sir Keir Starmer posted on X: “I’m appalled at Russia’s horrific attacks on civilians in Sumy and my thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones at this tragic time.
“President Zelensky has shown his commitment to peace. Putin must now agree to a full and immediate ceasefire without conditions.”
Two ballistic missiles struck the heart of the northeastern city of Sumy at around 10.15am as people gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday, according to officials.
Images from the scene on official channels showed lines of black body bags lying on the side of the road, while more bodies were seen wrapped in foil blankets among the debris. A charred bus with blood soaked seats and broken glass scattered everywhere remains on the once busy square.
Video footage also showed fire crews as they fought to extinguish the shells of burned-out cars among the rubble from damaged buildings.
At least 32 people were killed as a result of the attack, including two children, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine said in a statement. A further 99 people were injured, including 11 children, it said.
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Ukraine war latest: At least 34 people killed in Russian ballistic strike in Sumy – The Independent
