Sumy, Ukraine – Tragedy struck the heart of Sumy, Ukraine as a Russian attack left at least 32 people dead and 84 injured, including 10 children. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack, labeling it as a “terrible strike by Russian ballistic missiles” that shattered the peace in an “ordinary city street, ordinary life.” The attack, carried out by two Iskander-variant ballistic missiles, targeted the area around Sumy State University and its congress center around 10:15 local time.
The aftermath of the attack painted a grim picture, with images and videos showing bloodied bodies strewn across the streets where the missiles struck. The devastation extended to 20 buildings, including educational institutions, cafes, shops, and apartment buildings, as well as ten cars and trams that were hit. Zelensky urged for a strong response from the international community, emphasizing that talks alone cannot deter the aggression shown by Russia.
The attack on Sumy’s city center, particularly on a major Christian holiday like Palm Sunday, drew widespread condemnation from various quarters. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha labeled the attack as “absolute evil,” highlighting the heinous act of targeting civilians on a religious holiday. This act of terror further underlines the relentless nature of the conflict, with Russia refusing to accept a full ceasefire proposal despite Ukraine’s unconditional acceptance on March 11.
Ukraine’s Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko criticized the Russian military for attacking civilians in Sumy’s city center while people were out on the streets celebrating Palm Sunday near a church. The European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, described the strikes as a “horrific example” of Russia escalating attacks despite Ukraine’s willingness to cease hostilities. French President Emmanuel Macron echoed the urgent need for a ceasefire on Russia following the tragic events in Sumy.
The attack coincided with a meeting between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg, focusing on finding a resolution to the Ukrainian conflict. The Kremlin described the meeting as “productive,” emphasizing discussions surrounding the Ukrainian settlement. As the international community grapples with the escalating violence, the need for a united front against such acts of aggression becomes increasingly paramount in the quest for peace.