Russian Missile Strike Kills 24 in Sumy Amid Palm Sunday Observance
Massive civilian casualties spark international outrage as Ukraine calls for tougher global response.
At least 24 civilians lost their lives and over 80 were injured — including seven children — after a deadly Russian missile strike hit the heart of Sumy, a northeastern Ukrainian city near the Russian border, on Palm Sunday. The attack targeted a bustling downtown area where families were making their way to church, many carrying traditional willow branches.
According to Ukrainian authorities, two ballistic missiles slammed into the city center. One missile struck a crowded trolleybus, while another destroyed adjacent buildings, including a human rights center. Harrowing footage published by local media and verified by emergency services shows charred vehicles, lifeless bodies on the streets, and emergency crews assisting bloodied survivors.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the strike as a deliberate act of terror. “Russian missiles hit an ordinary city street—houses, schools, cars… on a day when people go to church,” he posted on social media. “Only a scoundrel can act like this. Without mounting pressure on the aggressor, peace is impossible.”
Zelenskyy called on the United States, Europe, and the global community for a decisive response, emphasizing the need for stronger military support, including an additional 10 Patriot air defense systems to counter Russia’s growing missile threat. During a recent press briefing, the Ukrainian leader noted that while the U.S. had sent new defense systems to Israel amid rising tensions with Iran, Ukraine's air defenses remain insufficient under the escalating Russian bombardment.
This latest tragedy in Sumy follows a pattern of intensifying Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure. Earlier this month, a missile struck a children’s playground in Kryvyi Rih, killing nine children and nine adults. The frequency and brutality of such attacks have raised urgent concerns among human rights organizations and international observers.
The missile assault came just days after a meeting in St. Petersburg between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Steve Witkoff, a special envoy of former U.S. President Donald Trump. Ukraine had recently agreed to a proposed 30-day ceasefire plan by the White House. However, since the proposal, Russia has ramped up its aerial assaults, casting doubt on Moscow’s intentions.
Sumy, located just 25 kilometers (15 miles) from the Russian border, serves as a key logistical and military hub for Ukraine. The choice of target—a densely populated civilian zone during a religious holiday—underscores what many see as a strategic campaign of intimidation and psychological warfare by the Kremlin.
Dashcam footage from the moment of the attack shows a sudden orange flash and a massive smoke cloud as vehicles swerve and pedestrians flee in terror. Prosecutors confirmed that the human rights center was "completely destroyed," alongside multiple residential and public buildings.
President Zelenskyy concluded his address with a call for solidarity: “Talks have never stopped ballistic missiles and air bombs. We need the kind of attitude towards Russia that a terrorist deserves. Thank you to everyone who stands with Ukraine and helps protect innocent lives.”
Sources: News Agencies