A Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Sumy on Sunday killed 34 people, including two children, and injured 117 others. The missiles struck the city center near the state university and congress center, leaving a scene of devastation with bloodied bodies in the streets.
International Condemnation
The attack has drawn strong condemnation from Western nations. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called it “horrifying,” while Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting, Friedrich Merz, accused Russia of committing a war crime. Merz described the attack as a “serious war crime” and a “perfidious act,” emphasizing its deliberate and intended nature.
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Ukraine’s Call for Attention
As the attack comes amid ongoing efforts to end the four-year war, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky urged US President Donald Trump to visit Ukraine and witness the devastation firsthand. Zelensky urged, “Please, before any kind of decisions, any kind of forms of negotiations, come to see people, civilians, warriors, hospitals, churches, children destroyed or dead.”
US, Europe, and the UN Respond
Offering condolences to the victims, Rubio remarked that the attack serves as a “tragic reminder” of why the US administration is so focused on ending the war. Former US special envoy to Ukraine, retired Lt-Gen Keith Kellogg, labeled the attack as crossing “any line of decency.”
Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz pointed out that the attack showed the true nature of Russia’s supposed willingness for peace. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron condemned Russia’s actions, stating that it reflected “blatant disregard of human lives, international law, and diplomatic efforts.” He added that “strong measures” were necessary to impose a ceasefire.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also labeled the attack as “barbaric,” reaffirming that Russia is the aggressor in this conflict. The UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep alarm over the attack, stressing that attacks on civilians violate international humanitarian law and must cease immediately.
Russia’s Ongoing Aggression
This missile strike is the deadliest attack on Ukrainian civilians this year, following another deadly missile strike in April that killed 20 people and injured 61 in Kryvyi Rih. Russia’s defense ministry claimed it targeted a meeting of unit commanders and Western instructors, though no evidence was provided.
The ongoing conflict, which began with Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, has led to an immense loss of life and displacement. The UN estimates nearly seven million Ukrainians are currently living as refugees, with hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians killed or injured since Russia’s full-scale invasion began on February 24, 2022.
This attack adds to the mounting pressure on Russia, as Western nations continue to push for a ceasefire and a lasting peace based on Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The war has caused widespread suffering and remains a significant global crisis.
