Sumy, Ukraine – In one of the deadliest attacks on civilians this year, at least 34 people were killed and more than 100 injured after Russian forces launched a double missile strike on the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy during Palm Sunday observances.
Deadly Morning Strike Hits Civilian Targets
The first missile hit around 10:20 a.m. local time, slamming into the culture center at Sumy State University, where a children’s Palm Sunday performance was underway. Witnesses say the blast collapsed part of the building while families were gathered inside.
Just minutes later, a second missile struck Pokrovska Street, tearing through a crowded trolleybus and leveling several nearby shops and apartments.
"Children were screaming, people were trapped under debris—it was absolute chaos," said Maksym H., a local volunteer who helped first responders. "It felt like they were targeting the very soul of the city."
Confirmed Casualties and Victims
34 confirmed dead, including 2 children and several elderly residents
Over 100 injured, 15 of them critically, according to local hospital reports
Multiple residential buildings, vehicles, and a cultural arts center destroyed
Search and rescue teams continue to comb through rubble for survivors
Hospitals in Sumy have declared a mass casualty emergency, converting corridors and basement spaces into triage zones. Videos from the scene show smoke billowing over central Sumy as first responders struggle to evacuate the wounded.
Ukrainian Officials Condemn “Deliberate Terror”
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strike, calling it a “calculated act of terror” on a peaceful religious holiday. “This was not a military strike. This was a direct attack on Ukrainian civilians—on our children, our elderly, our peace,” he said in a televised address.
The Ukrainian military has identified the weapons used as Iskander-M short-range ballistic missiles, reportedly launched from Russian territory near Kursk.
International Response: Calls for Accountability
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement Sunday afternoon, expressing deep condolences and calling the attack “horrifying.”
“This is a tragic reminder of why President Trump and his Administration are putting so much time and effort into trying to end this war and achieve a just and durable peace.” — Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State
European leaders also condemned the attack, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer calling it a “war crime”, and French President Emmanuel Macron urging swift international response.
The European Union is expected to convene an emergency session on Monday to discuss further sanctions and defense support for Ukraine.
Wider Context: Escalation Despite Peace Talks
The strike comes just days after a high-level diplomatic meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, where both sides expressed cautious optimism about ceasefire negotiations.
Despite ongoing talks, Russia has continued heavy bombardments in multiple regions including Kherson, Kharkiv, and Donetsk, raising fears of a spring offensive.
Sumy in Mourning
As rescue operations continue, the city of Sumy is observing a three-day mourning period. Church bells tolled across the region Sunday evening, and makeshift memorials have appeared outside the university ruins and along Pokrovska Street.
Grieving families gathered at local churches to pray and light candles for those lost.
“Palm Sunday was supposed to be a day of peace,” said Bishop Serhii Karpov of the Sumy Diocese. “Instead, we found ourselves burying our children.”
📌 This is a developing story. Stay with us for real-time updates.
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