Breaking: Missile Strike on Sumy Kills Civilians, Many Dead

UPDATED: As of 1:40 PM, 31 people have been confirmed dead, including 2 children. A total of 84 people were injured, including 10 children. Russia struck the center of Sumy with two ballistic missiles.

“Russia struck directly at the city center with a ballistic missile. Right at the time when the streets were full of people. A deliberate targeting of civilians on a major religious holiday,” said Ukraine’s Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko.

On Palm Sunday, April 13, Russian forces launched a missile strike on the city of Sumy. According to acting mayor Artem Kobzar, the attack resulted in numerous casualties.

“Today, as a result of the missile strike, there are many dead… The enemy has once again targeted civilians,” he said.

“For the second month in a row, Russia has refused to accept the US proposal for a full ceasefire, which Ukraine unconditionally accepted on March 11. Instead, Russia ramps up its terror,” said Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, adding:  “We urge partners to provide Ukraine with additional air defense capabilities and increase pressure on Moscow. Strength is the only language they can understand and the only way to put an end to the horrific terror.”

Zelensky’s response

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded to the Russian ballistic missile strike on Sumy, stressing that an ordinary city street was targeted — with homes, educational institutions, and vehicles hit.

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“According to preliminary reports, dozens of civilians have been killed or injured. Only scum can act like this — taking the lives of ordinary people. My condolences to the families and loved ones. A rescue operation is currently underway. All necessary services are working,” Zelensky said.

Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, said that Russia deliberately launched a missile strike on Sumy on Palm Sunday to cause mass civilian casualties. He noted that the attack came shortly after Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff visited Putin in Moscow.

According to Kovalenko, a similar pattern was seen after Dmytriyev’s visit to Washington — soon after, Russia struck Kryvyi Rih, killing many children. Kovalenko emphasized that Russia builds its so-called diplomacy around attacks on civilians.

Local media report that the strike hit the central part of the city.

According to Human Rights Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets, the regional Human Rights Protection Center was at the epicenter of the strike. The ombudsman’s office was completely destroyed.

Sumy is a regional center in northeastern Ukraine, located just about 30 kilometers from the Russian border. Due to its proximity to Russia, the city has been under threat since the very first days of the full-scale invasion. In February–March 2022, Russian forces attempted to occupy the region but were pushed back after suffering losses.

Before the war, Sumy had a population of around 260,000 people.

This story is being updated.