New Russian strikes hit Sumy after deadly missile attack

Russia launched a fresh wave of strikes on the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy late Monday, just a day after a missile attack killed 35 people and injured over 100, Ukrainian officials said.

The Air Force reported a new missile and guided bomb assault on the city within minutes of each other. Local authorities confirmed an explosion near the outskirts but said there were no immediate reports of casualties.

Sunday’s missile strike, which hit central Sumy during Palm Sunday services, marked one of the deadliest attacks in recent months. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the casualty toll had risen to 35 dead and 119 wounded, with 40 people still in hospital.

"Only scoundrels can act like this, taking the lives of ordinary people," Zelenskyy said in his nightly address, calling for a tougher international response. Dozens of world leaders and international organisations have since issued messages of support.

Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed responsibility for the strike, saying it targeted a gathering of Ukrainian military officers. It accused Kyiv of using civilian areas as cover for military operations — a claim Ukraine has not responded to but routinely denies.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov alleged that Ukrainian officials had been meeting with Western counterparts in Sumy, though no evidence was provided. The U.S. and European leaders condemned the attack. French President Emmanuel Macron said it underscored the urgency of enforcing a ceasefire.

President Donald Trump, who has made ending the war a policy priority, called the strike “terrible,” and added, “I was told they made a mistake.” The Kremlin declined to comment on Trump’s remark but reiterated that Russia targets only military objectives.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the renewed attacks showed that Russia was not serious about peace. "Putin is seeking continuation, not resolution," he said.

The United Nations says over 12,000 civilians have been killed since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022. The latest assault on Sumy has once again drawn global attention to the human toll of a war now entering its fourth year.

Copied