Russia Bombed Ukraine While People Were Celebrating Palm Sunday, Killing 34 People
Zelenskyy called for a “strong response from the world”, saying “only filthy scum can act like this – taking the lives of ordinary people.”
Russia attacked Ukraine on Palm Sunday, killing 34 people, including two children and injuring at least 117 others, making it its deadliest attack on Ukraine this year.
On the morning of Sunday, April 13, the start of Christian Holy Week and one of the busiest days in the Christian calendar, Russia launched two missiles at the center of Sumy city, located just 25 kilometers from Russia's border and an important center for Ukraine’s military operations in northern Ukraine, according to Ukrainian authorities.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the attack targeted Sumy city center, which was packed with civilians as people gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday, hitting in total 20 buildings, including university buildings, five apartment buildings, cafes, shops and the district court.
A video posted by Zelenskyy on X showed bodies scattered on the street, alongside a wrecked bus, burned cars and damaged buildings.
Dashcam footage captured the moment one of the missiles struck, showing an intense orange flash lighting up the scene, with thick smoke rising into the air as cars quickly reversed and people fled in panic.
A top Ukrainian official said Russia purposely used two missiles, including one with cluster bombs, to kill as many civilians as possible, CNN reported.
Zelenskyy called for a “strong response from the world”, saying “only filthy scum can act like this – taking the lives of ordinary people.”
“Talking has never stopped ballistic missiles and bombs. We need to treat Russia as a terrorist deserves,” he said.
Russia’s Defense Minister said that it launched two missiles at a meeting of Ukrainian military officers in Sumy, claiming it killed 60 Ukrainian soldiers and accusing Ukraine of using civilians as human shields by placing military facilities in the centre of a densely populated city.
The attack came as the US, led by president Donald Trump, is increasing its push for a ceasefire in the war, more than three years after Russia fully invaded Ukraine.
Ukraine has accepted a US proposal for a ceasefire, but Russia set out several conditions to agree to a deal.
Trump criticized Russia’s attack, calling it “terrible” and said he was told “they made a mistake,” but didn’t give any more details.
The attacks came only days after a Russian missile strike on April 4 killed 20 people and injured 61 in the city of Kryvyi Rih, Reuters reported.
In recent weeks, Russia has intensified strikes on Ukraine’s Sumy and occupied several small settlements inside the region, CNN reported.
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