Russian missile attack on Sumy. Authorities say many dead

The Russians carried out a missile attack on the city of Sumy in northeastern Ukraine on Sunday (April 13) before noon. The attack hit the city center, which was populated at that time of day. Artem Kobzar, the city’s acting mayor, reported that more than 20 people had been killed. The Internet was circulated by shocking photos and videos taken immediately after the attack.

Today, as a result of a missile strike, many people were killed. The enemy has again attacked civilians,” the acting mayor of Sumy, Artem Kobzar, wrote in Telegram.

Ukraine. Russian missile attack on Sumy, authorities say many dead

According to social media users, the central part of Sumy was attacked. Unconfirmed reports speak of bodies lying in the street and cars on fire.

The attack occurred as people were going to church or returning from Palm Sunday (Ukrainian: Verbna Nedila) services, which this year the Orthodox Church celebrates at the same time as the Catholic Church.

Artem Kobzar reported that more than 20 people died in the attack.

“On this bright day of Palm Sunday, our community was struck by a terrible tragedy. The enemy launched a missile strike against civilians. Unfortunately, there are reports of more than 20 dead,” Artem Kobzar wrote on Telegram.

According to earlier reports, Russian troops fired two ballistic missiles at Sumy. The strike hit the city center, which was populated at that time of day.

Ukrainian President: Dozens killed and injured in Sumy, strong global response needed

— Moscow’s terror requires a strong reaction from the world, without pressure on the aggressor peace is impossible, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday.

A terrible attack by Russian ballistic missiles on Sumy. Enemy missiles hit an ordinary city street, ordinary life: houses, educational institutions, cars on the street… And this on the day when people go to church: on Palm Sunday (…)” – the president wrote on social media.

“We need a strong reaction from the world. The United States, Europe, everyone in the world who wants to end this war and killing. Russia wants exactly this kind of terror and is dragging out this war. Without pressure on the aggressor, peace is impossible,” Zelensky stressed.

The head of the presidential office, Andriy Yermak, published a recording taken shortly after the impact. It shows bodies lying on the ground, burning cars and smashed buildings. Other recordings show a crashed trolleybus and people kneeling by covered bodies.