30 Killed in Russian Missile Strike: At least 30 were killed in a Russian missile strike during a Palm Sunday gathering in the Ukrainian city of Sumy, marking one of the deadliest civilian attacks since the war began.
The deadly assault, which took place on Sunday morning, left more than 110 injured, including children, and has drawn global outrage.
Shock and Horror: 30 Killed in Russian Missile Strike on Sumy
Two powerful ballistic missiles rained down on central Sumy at approximately 10:15 AM, just as residents gathered to observe Palm Sunday. The attack caught the city off guard, with videos shared online showing thick smoke, mangled structures, and bodies lying on the ground.
Local authorities confirmed that at least 34 civilians lost their lives, with 117 others wounded, among them 15 children. The sheer number of casualties has reignited calls for accountability.
Ukrainian Leaders React to 30 Killed in Russian Missile Strike
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the horrific toll and described the attack as a “brutal act of terrorism.”
“Dozens of civilians were killed and wounded. Only filthy scum can act like this,” Zelensky said.
The president’s office added that cluster munitions may have been used to maximize destruction—a claim yet to be independently verified.
Acting Mayor of Sumy, Artem Kobzar, expressed sorrow, stating, “Our community has suffered a tragedy.”
World Leaders Condemn Attack That Left 30 Killed in Russian Missile Strike
The news that 30 were killed in a Russian missile strike quickly echoed around the world. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the missile strike severely undermines current peace initiatives and further demonstrates Moscow’s disregard for international law.
Retired U.S. Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, a special envoy under Trump, added:
“This attack crossed any line of decency. Civilians are being slaughtered, and this must end.”
The White House reaffirmed its stance on ending the conflict, stating that President Trump remains “fully committed to brokering peace.”
Highlights Collapse of Ceasefire Efforts
The 30 killed in the Russian missile strike came amid worsening diplomatic tensions. A tentative U.S.-brokered ceasefire to halt attacks on energy infrastructure appears to be unraveling.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed that Kyiv violated the agreement first, but Ukraine’s top diplomat Andrii Sybiha refuted the allegations, citing:
-
Over 70 Russian missiles
-
2,200 drones
-
More than 6,000 aerial bombs targeted civilians in just three weeks.
Kherson, Kharkiv Also Targeted as Casualties Mount
The tragedy in Sumy was not isolated. In Kherson, a 62-year-old woman was killed by Russian shelling. Meanwhile, in Kharkiv, a kindergarten sustained heavy damage from another strike, though no injuries were reported.
Despite these incidents, the attack where 30 were killed in a Russian missile strike in Sumy remains the most brutal assault on civilians this month.
Spring Offensive Looms as 30 Killed in Russian Missile Strike
With Russian forces holding the strategic upper hand, Ukrainian military leaders are warning of a spring offensive aimed at increasing pressure on Kyiv. Officials fear the attack in Sumy could be a precursor to more widespread violence as peace negotiations falter.
Russia has so far dismissed a broader U.S. ceasefire proposal, adding conditions that analysts say are intended to delay talks while solidifying gains on the battlefield.
