At least 34 people, including two children, lost their lives in a devastating missile attack in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy. This tragic event has left another 117 individuals injured, with 15 of them being children, according to Ukraine’s state emergency service.
The Ukrainian foreign ministry highlighted the severity of the situation, noting that one of the injured children is a baby girl born this year. They emphasized that even newborns are not safe from the violence perpetrated by Russian forces. Videos shared by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on social media showed the aftermath of the strike, revealing the grim scene of dead bodies on a city street near a destroyed bus.
Zelenskyy condemned the attack, calling it an act of cowardice and stating that the world must respond strongly. He argued that Russia aims to instill terror and prolong the conflict, insisting that without pressure on the aggressor, peace will remain elusive. He further pointed out that diplomatic talks have not stopped the violence and called for a response befitting a terrorist.
The missile strike occurred shortly after a visit to Moscow by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, which raised concerns about the timing of the attack. Keith Kellogg, a U.S. official, described the incident as crossing "any line of decency," condemning the high number of civilian casualties. He stressed that such actions are why efforts are underway to end the war.
U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed his horror over the "barbaric strike," urging for an immediate ceasefire. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, also condemned the attack, labeling it a blatant violation of international law.
In addition to the tragedy in Sumy, a separate Russian strike in Kherson claimed three more lives. The ongoing violence has raised alarms about the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, with officials noting the staggering number of attacks on civilians.
As the conflict continues, the situation remains dire, with both sides trading accusations over violations of agreements meant to reduce hostilities. The international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution to the ongoing crisis.