Tragic Palm Sunday Missile Strike Kills Over 30 in Ukrainian City of Sumy

More than 30 people lost their lives in a devastating Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Sumy as civilians gathered to observe Palm Sunday, officials reported.

The strike involved two Russian ballistic missiles hitting around 10:15 a.m., targeting residential buildings, schools, and vehicles. The aftermath scenes are grim, with buildings reduced to rubble, cars engulfed in flames, and casualties strewn across the streets, as seen in raw images from the site.

Acting Mayor Artem Kobzar described the tragedy on social media: "On this bright Palm Sunday, our community has suffered a terrible tragedy." Initial reports mentioned more than 20 deaths, but further investigation by the Prosecutor General's Office confirmed at least 32 fatalities. Additionally, at least 84 people were injured, among them 10 children, according to the Minister of Internal Affairs, Ihor Klymenko.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy underscored the ongoing rescue efforts and condemned the attack, stating, "Only filthy scum can act like this — taking the lives of ordinary people." He appealed to the international community, calling on the U.S., Europe, and all nations desiring an end to the conflict to respond firmly, emphasizing that talks alone have not halted the barrage of ballistic missiles and aerial bombs.

The missile assault notably came less than a day after Russian and Ukrainian diplomats traded accusations regarding breaches of a tentative U.S.-brokered agreement to pause attacks on energy infrastructure, highlighting the fragile and tense situation on the ground.

This brutal attack on Palm Sunday, a day meant for peace and reflection, starkly reminds us how belligerence overshadows solemn traditions — an unfortunate but persistent reality in this conflict.