At least 32 people have been killed and 84 injuries, including 10 children, after a Russian attack in the Center of Sumy, according to Ukrainian authorities.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the « terrible strike of Russian ballistic missiles » struck an « ordinary city street, ordinary life », adding that without strong pressure, « Russia will continue to drag this war. »
Two iskander-variant ballistic missiles reached around 10:15 local time (08:15 BST), both hit the area around the Sumy State University and its Congress Center.
The images and videos of the consequences show the blood bodies scattered throughout the streets around the impact of the missiles. At least two children died.
Ukrainian authorities told the BBC that 20 buildings were damaged, including four educational institutions, as well as coffee shops, shops and five apartment buildings. Ten cars and trams were also affected.
Zelensky requested a « hard » response from other nations, adding that « conversations have never stopped ballistic missiles and air bombs. »
« The United States, Europe, everyone in the world who wants to end this war and murder. Russia wants exactly this type of terror and is dragging this war. Without pressure on the aggressor, peace is impossible, » he said.
« It is very important that everyone in the world does not stay silent, do not remain indifferent, » he added.
The University Congress Center is often used for children’s classes, according to the BBC Ukraine, with local residents who say that the space is a « educational center for the whole city » and « rented very actively for several courses, clubs and master classes ».
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha condemned the attack on Palm Sunday.
« Many civilians have been killed and injured. The launch of an attack on a great day of Christian holiday is absolute evil, » he wrote to X.
He said they shared « detailed information on this crime of war with all our international partners and institutions », adding that during the second month, Russia has refused to accept a United States proposal for a cessation of fire, which Ukraine unconditionally accepted on March 11.
« Instead, Russia increases its terror, » Sybiha said.
In an unpleasant attack on the Russian army, Ukraine Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said that the attacks reached the Center of Sumy, where many people were on the street near a church that was celebrating Palma Sunday.
« It was at this moment that the Russians hit, clearly realizing that they were hitting civilians, » Klymenko told the Ukrainian news agency RBC-UKRAINE, warning that « the number of victims can increase. »
The highest diplomat of the European Union, Kaja Kallas, wrote to X that the strikes were a « horrible example of Russia that intensified the attacks while Ukraine has accepted unconditional cessation. »
French President Emmanuel Macron said that Sumy’s strikes showed the urgent need to impose a cessation of fire in Russia.
The attack occurs after the North -American envoy, Steve Witkoff, met Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday in St Petersburg.
Kremlin said the meeting lasted more than four hours and focused on « aspects of a Ukrainian settlement. » The meeting, Witkoff’s third with Putin, this year was described by the special Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev as « productive ».
Leave a Reply