Russian missile attack on Palm Sunday shatters Sumy's peace
On Sunday morning, the Russians carried out a missile attack on Sumy. Authorities report numerous casualties.
What do you need to know?
- Where did the attack occur? The Russian missile attack took place in Sumy, in the northeastern part of Ukraine.
- When did the incident happen? The attack occurred Sunday morning while residents were attending Palm Sunday services, corresponding to 6 AM Eastern Time.
- What are the consequences of the attack? Authorities report numerous fatalities, but the exact number has not yet been disclosed.
What are the authorities' reactions to the attack?
Acting Mayor of Sumy, Artem Kobzar, reported on Telegram about the tragic outcome of the attack, emphasizing that "the enemy has attacked the civilian population again." The city authorities have not disclosed the exact number of casualties yet.
Published online footage shows the bodies of deceased individuals lying on the city's streets.
The attack targeted the city centre. The footage shows chaos in the city and ongoing rescue operations.
What were the circumstances of the attack?
The attack occurred while the residents of Sumy were attending Palm Sunday services, celebrated this year simultaneously by the Orthodox and Catholic Churches. Many people were on their way to church or returning from services, further increasing casualties.
Volodymyr Zelensky has also responded to the attack. "A horrific Russian ballistic missile strike on Sumy. Russian missiles hit an ordinary city street, ordinary life – residential buildings, educational institutions, cars on the street… And that’s on the day when people go to church – Palm Sunday, the feast of the Lord's Entry into Jerusalem," he wrote.
"According to preliminary information, dozens of civilians were killed and wounded. Only filthy scum can act like this – taking the lives of ordinary people. My condolences to the families and loved ones. A rescue operation is underway. All necessary services are working at the scene," the President of Ukraine conveyed.
