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Two Russian ballistic missiles struck the center of Sumy, Ukraine on Sunday, killing at least 34 people and injuring 117 others, including 15 children. The attack, which occurred around 10:15 local time, targeted an area surrounding Sumy State University and its congress center.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the assault, describing it as a "terrible strike by Russian ballistic missiles" on an "ordinary city street, ordinary life." He emphasized that "without strong pressure, Russia will continue to drag out this war."
Footage from the scene revealed bloodied bodies scattered across streets near the missile impact sites. Ukrainian authorities confirmed to the BBC that 20 buildings sustained damage, including four educational institutions, cafes, shops, and five apartment buildings.
"Only scoundrels can act like this. Taking the lives of ordinary people," Zelensky stated in a social media post showing destroyed vehicles and casualties. Officials in Sumy reported the missiles contained cluster munitions, designed to kill indiscriminately over wide areas.
Local resident Nataliia narrowly escaped death. "If we hadn't moved to the shelter on time, we would have been in the car and we would be dead," she told the BBC. Another resident, Pavriz Manakhov, emphasized to Reuters: "We live in the city center, there is no military base, there are no soldiers here."
The university's congress center, frequently used for children's classes, serves as an "educational hub for the entire city" according to locals. The facility is "very actively rented out for various courses, clubs, and master classes," BBC Ukrainian reported.
Keith Kellogg, US special envoy to Ukraine, stated the attack "crosses any line of decency" and explained why President Trump "is working hard to end this war." UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the strike "horrific" while urging Putin to "agree to a full and immediate ceasefire without conditions."
French President Emmanuel Macron attributed clear responsibility to Russia, posting on X: "Everyone knows: this war was initiated by Russia alone. And today, it is clear that Russia alone chooses to continue it - with blatant disregard for human lives, international law, and the diplomatic efforts of President Trump."
The deadly strike occurred shortly after US envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg. The Kremlin described their four-hour discussion as "productive," focusing on "aspects of a Ukrainian settlement."
Andriy Yermak, Zelensky's chief of staff, highlighted the calculated nature of the attack: "The Russians are doing this to kill as many civilians as possible." Sumy's acting mayor, Artem Kobzar, announced three days of mourning beginning Monday.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha confirmed Kyiv was "sharing detailed information about this war crime with all of our partners and international institutions," including the International Criminal Court in The Hague, which Ukraine officially joined this year.
