On this handout {photograph} taken and launched by the Ukrainian Emergency Service on April 13, 2025, a Ukrainian rescuer works to extinguish a fireplace on the web site of a missile assault in Sumy, northeastern Ukraine, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. | Picture by Handout / UKRAINIAN EMERGENCY SERVICE / AFP
SUMY, Ukraine — A Russian missile strike on Sunday within the metropolis centre of Ukraine’s metropolis of Sumy killed at the least 34 folks, Kyiv stated, with European and US officers condemning the assault — one of many deadliest in months.
Kyiv stated Moscow hit the northeastern metropolis, near the Russian border, with two ballistic missiles on Sunday morning and that the assault additionally wounded almost 120 folks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, stressing that the assault occurred on Palm Sunday, stated: “Solely bastards do that.”
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US President Donald Trump’s particular envoy to Ukraine, retired lieutenant basic Keith Kellogg, stated on X that the assault by Russian forces on civilian targets “crosses any line of decency”.
The strike got here two days after US envoy Steve Witkoff travelled to Russia to fulfill with President Vladimir Putin and push Trump’s efforts to finish the struggle.
The native emergency service in its newest bulletin that 34 folks died, together with two kids, and 117 have been wounded, together with 15 kids.
That revised upwards a earlier toll of 32 lifeless and 99 wounded.
Our bodies have been seen coated in silver sheets on the scene of the strike within the centre of town, with a destroyed trolleybus. Rescuers labored by means of the rubble of a constructing.
The pinnacle of Ukraine’s GUR navy intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, stated on Telegram that Russia used two Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles on Sumy.
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Ukrainian legislation enforcement officers work on the web site of a missile assault in Sumy, northeastern Ukraine, on April 13, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. A Russian ballistic missile assault on Ukraine’s northeastern metropolis of Sumy killed at the least 31 folks and wounded 84 on Palm Sunday, Kyiv stated, in one other lethal assault on civilians that got here after a high US official travelled to Russia. (Picture by Oleg VORONENKO / AFP)
‘A variety of corpses’
One lady informed AFP she heard two explosions.
“Lots of people have been very badly injured. A variety of corpses,” she stated, struggling to talk.
It was the second Russian assault this month to trigger a big civilian dying toll.
Trump has beforehand voiced anger at Moscow for “bombing like loopy” in Ukraine.
Zelensky known as on the USA and Europe to provide a “robust response” to Russia, including: “Speaking has by no means stopped ballistic missiles and bombs.”
French chief Emmanuel Macron stated the strike confirmed Russia’s “blatant disregard for human lives, worldwide legislation and the diplomatic efforts of President Trump”.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated he was “appalled” by the assault, which Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni described as a “cowardly” act by Russia.
The very fact the bloodshed fell on Palm Sunday outraged a number of leaders.
It was “a barbaric assault, made much more vile as folks gathered peacefully to have fun Palm Sunday,” European Fee chief Ursula von der Leyen stated on X.
“The Russian model of a ceasefire. Bloody Palm Sunday,” stated Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, whereas Danish chief Mette Frederiksen stated the “missile assault on civilians gathered on Palm Sunday… exhibits Russia’s true face”.
German International Minister Annalena Baerbock stated the killing “as many individuals made their option to prayer on Palm Sunday” demonstrated that “Putin underscores with blood that he seeks not peace however destruction”.
Dutch premier Dick Schoof urged extra air defences “in order that Ukraine can defend itself in opposition to this violence”.
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Relentless Russian offensive
Russia didn’t instantly touch upon the strike. Moscow has refused a US-proposed unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine.
Native authorities in Sumy printed footage of our bodies strewn on the road and folks operating for security, with automobiles on fireplace and wounded civilians on the bottom.
Russia has relentlessly attacked Ukraine in latest weeks, extending the violence wrought by its all-out invasion that has gone on for greater than three years.
In early April, a Russian assault on the central metropolis of Kryvyi Rig killed 18 folks, together with 9 kids.
Sumy has been beneath rising strain since Moscow pushed again lots of Ukraine’s troops from its Kursk area inside Russia, throughout the border.
Kyiv for weeks has warned that Moscow might mount an offensive on Sumy.
Russia launched its invasion partially by means of the Sumy area and briefly occupied components of it earlier than being pushed again by Ukrainian forces.
On Sunday, Russia stated it captured one other village in jap Ukraine’s Donetsk area.
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