In one of the deadliest attacks in recent months, a Russian missile strike on the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy claimed the lives of at least 34 people and left 117 others injured on Sunday, April 13, 2025. The attack, carried out with two Iskander-M ballistic missiles, came on Palm Sunday—a sacred Christian holiday—prompting widespread international condemnation and renewed calls for decisive global action against Moscow’s aggression.
The missiles struck central Sumy in the early hours of Sunday morning, catching civilians off guard. Among the dead were two children, while 15 children were reported among the injured. Emergency services worked through smoldering debris and flaming vehicles to recover victims, their bodies wrapped in silver sheets as rescue teams combed through collapsed structures.
President Volodymyr Zelensky, visibly shaken, called the assault a heinous act. “Only completely deranged scum can do something like this,” he declared in his evening address. He noted that the missiles damaged 20 buildings, including a university, five residential complexes, several businesses, and the district court.
“Eight of the 68 patients admitted to hospitals remain in critical condition,” he added.
Horrific scenes followed the blast. Witnesses described hearing two massive explosions and seeing bodies strewn across the streets. “A lot of people were very badly injured. A lot of corpses,” one traumatized resident told AFP, struggling to maintain composure.
Footage released by the Sumy regional government showed burning cars, bloodied civilians, and frantic rescue operations. The city has declared three days of mourning.
The global community responded with swift condemnation. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered condolences, calling the attack “horrifying.” He reaffirmed that the Trump administration remains committed to ending the war through diplomatic channels.
“This is a tragic reminder of why President Trump and his administration are putting so much time and effort into trying to end this war and achieve durable peace,” Rubio said.
The strike came just two days after Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, visited Moscow for talks with President Vladimir Putin. Meanwhile, retired U.S. Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg described the missile strike on civilian targets as crossing “any line of decency.”
European leaders echoed similar sentiments. French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the attack as a blatant disregard for human life and international law. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called it “appalling,” while Italy’s Giorgia Meloni labeled it “cowardly.”
Germany’s Chancellor-in-waiting, Friedrich Merz, described the assault as “a serious war crime, deliberate and intended.” Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, described it as “barbaric,” highlighting the cruel timing of the strike during a religious celebration. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk termed it a “bloody Palm Sunday.”
Danish and Dutch leaders called for an urgent increase in air defense support for Ukraine to prevent future tragedies.
Sunday’s tragedy adds to a growing list of Russian offensives targeting Ukrainian civilians. Earlier this month, another strike in Kryvi Rig, President Zelensky’s hometown, left 18 people dead—including nine children.
Sumy, located near the Russian border, has long been under threat. Since Moscow pushed back Ukrainian forces near its Kursk region, the city has braced for escalated assaults. Kyiv has repeatedly warned of an imminent offensive on the northeastern region, which was briefly occupied by Russian troops in the early stages of the war before being liberated.
Although Moscow has yet to officially comment on the Sumy attack, its refusal to accept a U.S.-proposed unconditional ceasefire raises further concerns about its military intentions.
As the war drags into its fourth year, the toll on civilians continues to mount. Ukrainian officials are calling on the international community not just for condemnation but for concrete military and diplomatic support.
“Talking has never stopped ballistic missiles and bombs,” Zelensky said, urging the West to act with strength and resolve.
As the international community watches in shock, the tragic events in Sumy serve as a grim reminder of the stakes in Ukraine. For the victims and their families, Palm Sunday will now forever be marked by grief—and a call for justice.