SUMY: Russian Missile Strike Kills 34, Wounds 117 in Ukraine
Deadly Attack on Palm Sunday
A Russian missile strike on Sunday on the Ukrainian city of Sumy killed at least 34 people, including two children, and wounded 117, including 15 children, authorities said. The attack occurred on Palm Sunday, a major Christian feast, and was widely condemned by European and US leaders.
Ukrainian President’s Response
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed that the attack occurred on Palm Sunday and called the perpetrators "completely deranged scum." He also urged the US president to visit his country to better understand the devastation wrought by Russia’s invasion.
International Reaction
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was "deeply alarmed and shocked" by the strike, which highlighted a "devastating pattern of similar assaults on Ukrainian cities and towns in recent weeks," his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. US President Donald Trump called the strike "a horrible thing" while speaking to reporters on board Air Force One. European leaders, including France’s President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni, also condemned the attack.
Attack Details
Two ballistic missiles hit the centre of the northeastern city, close to the Russian border, on Sunday morning, Ukrainian authorities said. People ran for cover amid burning cars and bodies were left strewn in the street. The dead were seen covered in silver sheets at the scene of the strike where rescuers worked through the rubble of a building near a destroyed trolleybus.
Russian Military Intelligence
The head of Ukraine’s GUR military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, said on Telegram that Russia had used two Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles on Sumy. A witness told AFP she heard two explosions. "A lot of people were very badly injured. A lot of corpses," she said, struggling to speak.
Consequences
Sumy declared three days of mourning. It was the second Russian attack this month to cause a large civilian death toll. An attack on Zelensky’s home city of Kryvi Rig killed at least 18 people, including nine children. Zelensky called on the United States and Europe to give a "strong response" to Russia, adding: "Talking has never stopped ballistic missiles and bombs."
Russian Invasion
Russia has relentlessly attacked Ukraine in recent weeks, stepping up its all-out invasion that has gone on for more than three years. Sumy has been under increasing pressure since Moscow pushed back many of Ukraine’s troops from its Kursk region inside Russia, across the border. Kyiv has warned for weeks that Moscow could mount an offensive on the city.
Conclusion
The attack on Sumy is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The international community must condemn such attacks in the strongest possible terms and work to bring an end to the conflict.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many people were killed in the attack on Sumy?
A: At least 34 people, including two children.
Q: How many people were wounded in the attack?
A: 117, including 15 children.
Q: What was the type of missiles used in the attack?
A: Two Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles.
Q: What is the current situation in Sumy?
A: Sumy has been under increasing pressure since Moscow pushed back many of Ukraine’s troops from its Kursk region inside Russia, across the border.