Sumy Hit by Deadly Russian Missile Strike, Sparking Outrage

On Sunday, April 13th, the city of Sumy in northern Ukraine was struck by two Russian ballistic missiles. The attack resulted in the deaths of 34 people and injured 117 others, marking the deadliest strike in Ukraine this year.

Following the attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for a strong international response against Moscow. He shared a video on social media showing the devastation, with dead bodies visible near a destroyed bus and burnt-out vehicles. Zelenskyy condemned the attack, noting that it occurred on Palm Sunday, a day when many were attending church.

Leaders from Britain, Germany, and Italy condemned the attack. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticized Russia's claims of seeking peace, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed condolences and highlighted the efforts of the US administration to end the war. Zelenskyy, in an interview, urged the US President to visit Ukraine.

The attack in Sumy followed a previous missile strike in Kryvyi Rih, Zelenskyy's hometown, earlier in the month, which resulted in 20 fatalities, including nine children. Sumy, located near the Russian border, has become a garrison city. The acting mayor of Sumy declared three days of mourning for the victims. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko reported that the victims were on the street, in vehicles, or inside buildings when the missiles struck.