In a Russian missile attack on the city of Sumy in northeastern Ukraine, “dozens of dead and injured” have been reported.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the news on social media on Sunday. According to emergency services, at least 21 people have died.
Zelenskyy condemned the attack as “horrific,” noting that dozens of civilians were killed or injured. “And on a day when people were going to church: Palm Sunday. Only scoundrels are capable of such actions,” he said.
Initial reports from Ukrainian emergency services indicated at least 21 fatalities and around 20 injuries. The number of injured has since risen to 83, including seven children, stated Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko. He reported that many of the injuries occurred in the streets, in cars, public transportation, and homes. The attack took place when there were many people on the streets, according to emergency services.
Earlier, Mayor Artem Kobzar had already reported numerous fatalities from a missile strike. “The enemy attacked civilians again,” he said on social media.
The regional military administration stated that Russians fired two ballistic missiles at the city, which is about 50 kilometers from the border between the two countries.
Kyiv has been warning for weeks of a potential Russian offensive in the region. On Thursday, Russia claimed the capture of a village in the border area. Since their retreat in the spring of 2022, Russia has gained little ground. Sumy borders the Russian region of Kursk, where Ukraine had launched a counteroffensive.
