One of the deadliest attacks this year, the ballistic strike hit a busy street in Sumy, killing civilians amid religious celebrations. Zelenskiy demands a tougher global response.
Kyiv, April 13:
In a devastating escalation of violence, a Russian ballistic missile struck the northern Ukrainian city of Sumy on Sunday, killing at least 21 people and injuring 83 others, according to Ukraine’s Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko. The strike, launched on Palm Sunday, has been condemned by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as a “deliberate act of terror” against civilians.
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“Only scoundrels can act like this. Taking the lives of ordinary people… on a day when people go to church,” said Zelenskiy, sharing graphic visuals from the scene — including charred vehicles, destroyed buildings, and bodies lying on the street.
Civilians Targeted Amid Holy Observance
The missile hit during peak morning activity, as civilians traveled in buses, cars, and on foot to attend religious services. Minister Klymenko confirmed the victims were in public spaces and transportation at the time of the attack.
“This was deliberate destruction of civilians on an important church feast day,” he stated.
International Fallout & U.S. Diplomacy Scrutinized
The timing of the attack — just two days after U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg to discuss peace talks — has raised questions about Moscow’s diplomatic intentions.
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“Russia is building all this so-called diplomacy around strikes on civilians,” said Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Centre for Countering Disinformation.
Zelenskiy Urges U.S. and EU to Act
Zelenskiy reiterated his appeal to the United States and European Union for a firmer stance against Moscow.
“Russia wants exactly this kind of terror and is dragging out this war… Without pressure on the aggressor, peace is impossible,” he said, emphasizing that “talks have never stopped ballistic missiles and aerial bombs.”
Worsening Frontlines & Broken Ceasefire Accusations
The attack comes amidst accusations that both Ukraine and Russia have violated a U.S.-brokered agreement to pause strikes on each other’s energy infrastructure. Russia claims Ukraine carried out five attacks on its facilities on Saturday.
Despite this fragile moratorium, hostilities continue unabated. Russia currently occupies around 20% of Ukrainian territory and has intensified both missile and drone strikes in recent weeks, even as ground advances remain slow.
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