Putin defends Sumy missile strike as "military target," controversy grows
Vladimir Putin addressed the Russian attack on Sumy. As a result of the strike that took place on April 13, 36 people were killed, and 125 others were injured.
What do you need to know?
- The attack on Sumy took place on April 13, 2025, when Russian forces launched two "Iskander-M" ballistic missiles on the city centre, causing significant destruction and fires.
- As a result of the attack, 36 people were killed, including 2 children, and 125 people were injured, including 18 children and 14 police officers. The attack occurred during one of the major Christian holidays—Palm Sunday.
- Vladimir Putin claims that the target of the attack was a "military facility", where an "award ceremony for those responsible for crimes in the Kursk region" was allegedly taking place.
Vladimir Putin, referring to the Russian strike on Sumy, stated that it was a justified military target and accused Ukrainian military personnel of committing crimes in the Kursk region.
"For example, the known attack by our armed forces on the congress centre, probably of Sumy University. Is it a civilian object or not? Civilian. However, an award ceremony was taking place for those who committed crimes in the Kursk region, both units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and nationalists. And it is these people we consider criminals, and they should receive the punishment they deserve," said the Russian president, as quoted by the Kremlin news agency TASS.
What were the consequences of the attack on Sumy?
The attack on Sumy resulted in the death of 36 people, including 2 children, and injuries to 125 people, including 18 children and 14 police officers. The Russian "Iskander-M" ballistic missiles caused significant damage to the city centre and triggered fires. The attack occurred during Palm Sunday, which further shocked the international community.
What actions did the Ukrainian armed forces take?
The Ukrainian army identified the locations from which the attack on Sumy was carried out. In response, the Ukrainian armed forces attacked the barracks of the 112th Russian Guards Rocket Brigade in the city of Shuya, in the Ivanovo region, causing a fire. Additionally, the Ukrainian general staff reported the destruction of the stationing point of the 448th Russian Rocket Brigade in the Kursk region, which was also involved in the attack on Sumy.
Resignation after the attack on Sumy
After the Russian attack, reports appeared in Ukrainian media that on Sunday, an award ceremony for soldiers of the 117th Independent Territorial Defence Brigade was to take place in one of the administrative buildings in the centre of Sumy.
In the aftermath of the attack, Volodymyr Artiukh resigned from his position as the head of the Sumy regional authorities.
