Russian Missiles Hit Ukrainian City Of Sumy During Palm Sunday Celebrations, Killing More Than 30

The city of Sumy in Ukraine was hit by Russian missiles on Palm Sunday, resulting in the death of at least 34 individuals, according to officials. This marks the second major attack claiming civilian lives in just over a week. The missiles struck around 10:15 a.m., causing devastation as images from the scene depicted numerous casualties wrapped in foil blankets and black body bags along the roadside. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported that among the deceased were two children, with 117 individuals sustaining injuries, including 15 children.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack, stating that only despicable individuals could carry out such actions, targeting ordinary people. He mentioned that the first missile hit buildings owned by a city university, while the second detonated above street level. The head of the Ukrainian president’s office, Andriy Yermak, alleged the use of cluster munitions to maximize casualties, although this claim could not be independently verified by the Associated Press.

The assault on Sumy followed a previous missile strike on April 4 in President Zelenskyy’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih, resulting in the deaths of approximately 20 individuals, including nine children. Zelenskyy called for a global response to the attack, emphasizing the need for a strong stance against Russia’s actions. World leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, also denounced the attack, highlighting the disruptive impact on peace negotiations led by the United States.

In addition to the Sumy attack, other regions in Ukraine experienced casualties due to Russian aggression. The Kherson region reported the deaths of two women and a man, while one person was killed during Russian shelling in the Donetsk region. The mayor of Kharkiv revealed that a Russian strike hit a kindergarten in the city, causing structural damage.

The strikes occurred amidst concerns of a potential spring offensive despite ongoing peace talks. Russian and Ukrainian diplomats accused each other of violating a U.S.-brokered agreement to halt strikes on energy infrastructure, complicating efforts to end the prolonged conflict. Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine, condemned the Sumy attack as a grave violation, emphasizing the necessity of reaching a resolution. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the urgent need for a just and lasting peace in the region.