• By: Dim Amor

Ukraine mourns one of the deadliest attacks in recent months, after Russian missiles hit the center of Sumy on Palm Sunday. According to updated official data, 34 civilians were killed, including two children, and more than 117 injured, including 15 children.

Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko reported that Russia carried out two ballistic attacks on the city and warned that the number of casualties could increase. "The strikes were recorded exactly in the city center. Today is Palm Sunday, many were on the street, and there is also a church nearby where a consecration ceremony was taking place. It was exactly at this time that the Russians attacked, fully aware that they were hitting civilians", Klymenko said.

The attack hit the conference center of Sumy State University, a place that according to local residents "is used for various courses, clubs, and workshops" and serves as an "educational center for the entire city". Nearby streets also suffered heavy damage – cars were destroyed and nearby houses damaged.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded sharply to the attack: "A terrible ballistic missile strike on Sumy. Enemy missiles hit an ordinary city street, ordinary life: houses, educational institutions, cars on the street… and this on a day when people go to church: Palm Sunday, the feast of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. Only a villain could act like this".

Zelensky added: "It's been more than a month since Putin has been ignoring America's offer for a full and unconditional ceasefire. Unfortunately, they there, in Moscow, are confident that they can afford to continue killing. We need to act to change the situation".

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha described the attack as "absolute evil" and emphasized that Ukraine is providing detailed information about the incident to its international partners. "Russia has been refusing for the second consecutive month to accept the American proposal for a full ceasefire, which Ukraine unconditionally accepted on March 11. Instead, Russia is escalating terror", he said.

Strong International Response

World leaders strongly condemned the Russian attack. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said: "A few hours ago in the city of Sumy, Russian missiles fell on women, men, and children. The death of these people is equally tragic and caused by the same evil that threatens Poland and all of Europe today".

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the attack "horrific" and "a harsh reminder of the ongoing bloodshed" led by Russia. "President Zelensky has demonstrated his commitment to peace, and now President Putin must agree to a full and immediate ceasefire without conditions – as Ukraine has done", Starmer added.

French President Emmanuel Macron claimed the attack demonstrates "blatant disregard for human life," while Keith Klog, the US President's Special Envoy to Ukraine and Russia, wrote that the attack "crosses all boundaries of decency".

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the attack as "barbaric" and "particularly abhorrent" as it occurred while "people gathered peacefully to celebrate Palm Sunday".

Germany's future Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, accused Russia of committing a war crime. "It was a treacherous act and a serious war crime, deliberate and intentional", he said. "This is the answer, this is how Putin acts with those who talk to him about a ceasefire".

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned what she called "the terrible and cowardly Russian attack", while Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský called the attack "monstrous".

EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas described the attack as "a horrific example of Russia escalating attacks, while Ukraine has agreed to an unconditional ceasefire".

US and Israel Response

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed his "deepest condolences to the victims of the horrific Russian missile attack on Sumy".

US President Donald Trump responded later and described the event as "terrible", but did not explicitly mention Russia. "I was told they made a mistake. But I think it's terrible. I think the whole war is a terrible thing," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Washington. When asked what he meant by "mistake", he replied: "They made a mistake, ask them". It is unclear to whom he was referring in his response.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry also issued a statement: "Our deepest condolences to the people and government of Ukraine, as well as to the families who lost their loved ones in the latest Russian attack on Sumy".

Currently, Ukrainian emergency services continue rescue efforts and assistance to the wounded, with growing concern that the number of victims may still rise.

•The images and the video are from social networks in Ukraine, in accordance with the provisions of Section 27A of the Copyright Law