Sumy, April 13: Thirty-two people were killed and over 80 injured after two Russian ballistic missiles struck a bustling area in the northern Ukrainian city of Sumy on Sunday morning, Ukrainian officials said.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy condemned the attack — one of the deadliest this year — calling it a “deliberate act of terror” on civilians. “Only scoundrels can act like this,” he posted on social media, sharing a video showing charred vehicles, a destroyed bus, and bodies scattered on a city street.
Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said the victims were caught in vehicles, public transport, and buildings when the missiles struck. The timing of the attack, on Palm Sunday, added to its symbolic weight.
Andriy Yermak, Zelenskiy’s chief of staff, said the missiles carried cluster munitions aimed at maximizing civilian casualties.
The strike came just days after U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg. Ukrainian officials linked the attack to Moscow’s attempt to manipulate diplomacy while escalating violence on the ground.
Zelenskiy urged the West to impose stronger measures against Russia. “Without pressure on the aggressor, peace is impossible. Talks have never stopped ballistic missiles and aerial bombs,” he said.
Russia has not commented on the strike. The attack came amid renewed accusations by both countries of violating a U.S.-brokered pause on targeting energy infrastructure.
Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and currently occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory. While eastern frontlines remain active, missile and drone strikes now define much of the war’s daily toll.
