Ukraine: Sumy Hit by Russian Strike – At Least 20 Dead

What started as an ordinary Sunday in the Ukrainian city of Sumy quickly turned into a bloody nightmare when two Russian ballistic missiles hit the middle of the downtown area.

The attack occurred shortly before church services were set to begin, as many residents were on their way to Palm Sunday mass. According to authorities, at least 20 people have been killed and 83 injured — including seven children.

One of the missiles hit a trolleybus full of passengers, while the other struck near the city’s human rights center, which was completely destroyed. Video footage from the scene shows burning cars, chaotic scenes, and bloodied victims as rescue workers search the rubble for survivors.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded swiftly, calling the attack a deliberate act of “terror” targeting civilians. “The enemy’s missiles struck an ordinary city street, everyday life: homes, educational institutions, cars on the road… And on a day when people are going to church: Palm Sunday, the Lord’s entry into Jerusalem,” he wrote on social media.

Sumy is located just 25 kilometers from the Russian border and has long served as a key hub for Ukraine’s military logistics. However, the area hit by the missiles was entirely civilian — filled with shops, apartments, and churches.

The attack comes at a time when Russia has intensified its bombardments across Ukraine, despite diplomatic efforts from countries like the United States. Earlier this month, nine children and nine adults were killed when a Russian missile struck a playground in Kryvyi Rih.

Zelenskyy has once again urged the West to supply more air defense systems. Last week, he stated that negotiations and statements of intent cannot stop missiles and bombs. “Talks have never stopped ballistic missiles and air bombs. We need an approach to Russia that reflects how a terrorist should be treated,” he declared.

What was meant to be a sacred day for many Ukrainians turned into one of grief.

The attack on Sumy is yet another tragic chapter in a war that increasingly targets the most vulnerable.