Ukraine-Russia conflict newest: At least 34 individuals killed in Russian ballistic missile strike in Sumy
At least 32 civilians, including two children, have been killed and 83 more injured in a Russian missile strike on the city of Sumy, according to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.
Seven 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.
PM demands Putin agrees to ceasefire ‘without conditions’
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.”
Injured toll reaches 99 in Sumy rocket strike
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.
EU leaders unite in horror at Sumy missile strike
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, said on X: “Heartbreaking scenes from Sumy this morning as residents gathered for Palm Sunday only to be met by Russian missiles.
“Horrific example of Russia intensifying attacks while Ukraine has accepted an unconditional ceasefire.
“My thoughts are with the Ukrainian people today.”
Moldovan President Maia Sandu stated that her country mourns with Ukraine.
“Palm Sunday is a day of peace. This morning, as people gathered to pray, Russia bombed Sumy—killing and injuring civilians. Moldova mourns with Ukraine and urges more air defence to save lives,” Sandu wrote.
She stressed that “the aggressor must be held accountable. There is no justification for such evil.”
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna also expressed sympathy, posting: “There are not enough words in the world to describe the inhumanity and evil of Russia.
“Our hearts are with Ukraine. Heartfelt condolences to all those affected by the Sumy attack.”
Macron decries ‘blatant disregard for human lives’ after Sumy attack kills at least 32
French President Emmanuel Macron says the strike on Sumy that killed at least 32 shows Russia has “blatant disregard for human lives, international law, and the diplomatic efforts of President Trump”.
“Everyone knows this war was initiated by Russia alone and today it is clear that Russia alone chooses to continue it.”
Lavrov claims Ukraine has been attacking Russia every day amid Sumy strikes
“The Ukrainians have been attacking us from the very beginning, every passing day, maybe with two or three exceptions,” Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said, adding that Moscow would provide the US, Turkey and international bodies with a list of Kyiv’s attacks during the past three weeks.
His Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, fiercely contested that claim, saying on Saturday that Russia had launched “almost 70 missiles, over 2,200 (exploding) drones, and over 6,000 guided aerial bombs at Ukraine, mostly at civilians,” since agreeing to the limited pause on strikes.
The attack on Sumy on Sunday is the second large-scale attack to claim civilian lives in just over a week, following a deadly missile strike on Mr Zelensky’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih on April 4 that killed some 20 people, including nine children.
Sumy university destroyed in ‘brutal’ strike
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has accused the Russians of targeting crowds of civilians with missiles as the death toll rises in Sumy.
The building of Sumy State University and nearby houses were destroyed, he said on X.
“A cynical and brutal Russian strike on the center of the city of Sumy. On a holiday, on a Sunday, the enemy deliberately targeted civilian infrastructure with missiles, in an area crowded with people. Many dead and injured. My sincere condolences to the families.”
Shmyhal stressed that the Russian “occupiers” will be held accountable for their crimes.
“The world must act. More air defense systems, more weapons, more sanctions against Russia — these are what will save the lives of thousands of civilians,” he emphasised.
Deadly strike comes ‘right after’ US visit to Moscow for ceasefire talks
The Russian ballistic missile strikes that killed at least 31 people, including two children were intentional, Andrii Kovalenko, Head of the Centre for Countering Disinformation, has claimed.
“On Palm Sunday, Russian animals deliberately targeted peaceful civilians in Sumy with missiles to cause as many casualties as possible. And this happened right after [Donald Trump’ s special representative] Steve Witkoff’s visit to Putin in Moscow,” he said on Telegram.
Kovalenko pointed out that a previous deadly strike on Kryvyi Rih, which killed many children, took place shortly after Russian representative Kirill Dmitriev visited Washington, where he reportedly met with Steve Witkoff.
“All of Russia’s so-called diplomacy and extortion is built around strikes on civilians,” Kovalenko stated.
At least 31 killed including two children killed in Sumy strike – State Emergency Service of Ukraine
“Update: As of 13:40, 31 people were killed, among them 2 children. 84 people were affected, 10 of them were children. The work continues.”
Sumy missile strike death toll rises to 24 including one child
24 people, including one child, have been killed in the Palm Sunday missile strike on Sumy, according to a statement from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine’s Telegram channel.
They said in a 1pm update: “24 people were killed, including 1 child, in two rocket strikes on the city.
“84 people were injured, including 7 children. Our sincere condolences to the families of the deceased.”
President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier called the strike one of the deadliest attacks on Ukrainian soil this year.
On April 4 ,a Russian missile attack on the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih has killed at least 18 people.
Nine of the dead were children, said Zelensky, who grew up in Kryvyi Rih.
Source: independent.co.uk
