21 Killed, 83 Injured in Russian Missile Strike on Sumy After US-Putin Ceasefire Talks

A Russian ballistic missile strike on Ukraine’s northeastern city of Sumy killed 21 people and wounded 83 on Sunday, just days after US-Russia ceasefire discussions.

The strike occurred on Palm Sunday and targeted the city centre, hitting public areas and civilian infrastructure. According to Ukraine’s State Emergency Service, the ballistic missiles struck a busy area when “many people were on the street.” Victims included pedestrians, passengers in public transport, and residents inside homes.

Rescue operations continued into the evening, with local authorities sharing footage of charred vehicles, scattered bodies, and citizens fleeing amid chaos.

Ukraine’s interior ministry confirmed that 83 people were wounded in the attack, including at least seven children. Hospitals in Sumy have been placed on high alert, and emergency personnel are working to stabilize critical patients.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strike, calling it a brutal assault on civilians during a religious observance.

“Enemy missiles hit an ordinary city street, an ordinary life: houses, educational institutions, cars,” Zelenskyy posted on social media. “Only bastards can do this.”

The missile strike came just two days after US envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg to push for a ceasefire. It also followed public remarks by US President Donald Trump, who criticized Moscow’s “bombing like crazy” and urged a halt to hostilities.

“Talking has never stopped ballistic missiles and bombs,” Zelenskyy said, underscoring his skepticism about the efficacy of diplomatic efforts.

There has been no official comment from Moscow regarding the Sumy strike.

Sumy, located near the Russian border, has seen increased attacks in recent weeks. While previously spared from heavy combat compared to cities like Bakhmut or Donetsk, Ukrainian officials have warned of a potential large-scale offensive in the region.

Russia recently claimed the capture of a village in the Sumy region for the first time since its 2022 invasion. The city itself was briefly occupied during the initial weeks of the war before being recaptured by Ukrainian forces.

The weekend strike is among the deadliest to hit Sumy since the start of the conflict.

International leaders are expected to respond to the escalating violence in northern Ukraine. Calls are mounting for renewed sanctions and increased defense support for Kyiv.

Zelenskyy has urged the European Union and the United States to issue a “strong response” and warned that continued aggression could spark further regional destabilization.