Horrific Missile Strike in Sumy Kills 34 on Palm Sunday

SUMY, Ukraine — A Russian ballistic missile attack on the northeastern city of Sumy has left at least 34 dead and more than 100 injured, officials reported Sunday. The missiles struck the city center around 10:15 a.m. local time as residents were gathering to celebrate Palm Sunday, marking the beginning of the Christian Holy Week.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed in a social media post that among the deceased were two children and expressed outrage at the “horrific” nature of the assault. “It is crucial that the world does not stay silent or indifferent. Russian strikes deserve nothing but condemnation,” said Zelenskyy. He called for increased pressure on Russia to end the war and ensure the safety of civilians.

Videos from the scene showed devastating destruction, with bodies lying in the street and debris scattered across the area. Emergency services continued to search for victims, and the death toll is expected to rise. Sumy’s acting Mayor Artem Kobzar lamented, “On this bright Palm Sunday, our community has suffered a terrible tragedy.”

The assault came as the United States has intensified diplomatic efforts under President Donald Trump to reach a ceasefire agreement in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion over three years ago. Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, condemned the attack, asserting “this crosses any line of decency”. He emphasized the importance of targeting military objectives rather than civilians.

Despite ongoing discussions aimed at halting hostilities, the exchanges of attacks have continued, revealing the complexities involved in negotiating a resolution. Ukraine supports a broader U.S. ceasefire proposal; however, Russia has raised extensive conditions that effectively stall negotiations. European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, echoed calls for accountability, stating that “it’s clear that Russia alone wants to continue with this war.”

This latest strike illustrates the persistent danger faced by civilians in Ukraine, particularly in regions close to the Russian border. Reported statistics indicate that the two missiles specifically targeted crowded areas, with the second missile inflicting the most casualties, according to local military leaders.

Witness accounts paint a grim picture of the aftermath. One resident, identified as Svitlana, described scrambling to safety alongside her son during the strike. “If we hadn’t moved to the shelter on time, we would have been in the car and we would be dead,” she recounted. Others reported hearing the deafening blasts while congregating for the sacred observance.

Ukraine’s emergency services confirmed that 51 buildings and multiple vehicles were damaged in the attacks. The emergency response involved over a hundred rescuers working throughout the day as they dealt with the wreckage and provided assistance to the injured.

As international leaders condemned the violence, Zelenskyy noted, “Only pressure — only decisive action — can change this.” He reiterated the need for a unified global response to deter further aggression, referring to the sustained attacks as a form of terrorism.

The complexity of the geopolitical landscape is evident, as diplomatic talks continue amid escalating hostilities. With each attack, the humanitarian crisis deepens, prompting urgent calls for action from the international community.