Kyiv, April 14 (Reuters) – Ukraine’s Air Force reported fresh Russian missile and guided bomb attacks on the northeastern city of Sumy on Monday evening, just a day after a deadly strike claimed the lives of 35 civilians and injured 119.
Local authorities confirmed that Monday’s missile struck the outskirts of the city, and while no casualties were reported, assessments were underway to determine the extent of the damage. Within minutes, Ukraine’s Air Force issued a follow-up alert, warning that Russian aircraft had begun dropping guided bombs on the area.
Sunday’s Deadly Strike Sparks Outrage
Sunday’s missile attack on Sumy left 35 people dead and 119 injured, with 40 hospitalized and 11 in serious condition, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in his nightly address. He called for a strong international response, condemning the attack as a war crime.
“Only scoundrels can act like this, taking the lives of ordinary people,” Zelenskiy said, noting the strike occurred on Palm Sunday, a significant Christian holy day.
Ukraine insists the strike targeted civilians, while Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed responsibility, alleging it hit a gathering of Ukrainian military officers with two Iskander-M tactical missiles, killing more than 60 soldiers. Russia accused Ukraine of using civilians as human shields by holding military events in densely populated areas—a claim Kyiv has yet to address publicly.
Global Reactions and Accusations
The attack has drawn widespread international condemnation. Leaders from Britain, Germany, Italy, and France denounced the strike. French President Emmanuel Macron called it further proof of the need for an immediate ceasefire, while Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski accused President Vladimir Putin of mocking diplomatic efforts by the U.S.
U.S. President Donald Trump, responding to the incident, called it “terrible,” adding, “I was told they made a mistake… but I think it’s a horrible thing,” without elaborating further.
When asked about Trump’s remark, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on the specifics of the strike, stating only that Russian forces target “military and military-adjacent sites.”
Ukraine Vows to Expose ‘War Crime’
Ukrainian officials rejected Russia’s claims, maintaining that the strike deliberately targeted civilians. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the attacks in Sumy and Kryvyi Rih signaled that Putin is not interested in ending the war, despite Kremlin claims of seeking “lasting peace.”
“We are sharing detailed information about this war crime with all our partners and international institutions,” Sybiha said.
Zelenskiy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, accused Russia of trying to “kill as many civilians as possible.”
Casualty Numbers and Ongoing Toll
The United Nations monitoring mission reported in February that the war has killed at least 12,654 Ukrainian civilians and wounded 29,392 since it began three years ago.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed Ukrainian military leaders were meeting with “Western colleagues” in Sumy during Sunday’s attack but provided no evidence or identities.
