-21d0b63c17f6020e4df75f6c6f9a2f4f.jpg "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
On the morning of April 13, 2025, around 10:15 a.m., Russian forces launched two ballistic missiles at the city center of Sumy, Ukraine.
The strike occurred during Palm Sunday, when the streets were filled with civilians. According to Ukrainian officials, the attack killed at least 34 people, including two children, and injured 117 others, among them 15 children.
The missiles hit areas with heavy civilian traffic, damaging vehicles, public transportation, and nearby buildings. Authorities also suspect the use of cluster munitions in the attack, though this has not been independently confirmed. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strike as an act of terrorism and urged the international community to intensify pressure on Russia.
Below is a breakdown of key international reactions.
United States
Keith Kellogg, Special Representative of US President Donald Trump on Ukraine:
Today's Palm Sunday attack by Russian forces on civilian targets in Sumy crosses any line of decency. There are scores of civilian dead and wounded. As a former military leader, I understand targeting and this is wrong. It is why President Trump is working hard to end this war.
— Keith Kellogg (@generalkellogg) April 13, 2025
France
President Emmanuel Macron published a statement in Ukrainian and English:
This morning, two Russian missiles struck the heart of the city of Sumy in Ukraine, causing numerous civilian casualties, including children once again.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 13, 2025
Everyone knows: this war was initiated by Russia alone. And today, it is clear that Russia alone chooses to continue it…
United Kingdom
Prime Minister Keir Starmer:
I'm appalled at Russia’s horrific attacks on civilians in Sumy and my thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones at this tragic time.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) April 13, 2025
President Zelenskyy has shown his commitment to peace.
Putin must now agree to a full and immediate ceasefire without conditions.
European Union
António Costa, President of the European Council:
I’m outraged by Russia’s criminal missile attack on the city centre of Sumy.
— António Costa (@eucopresident) April 13, 2025
Russia continues its campaign of violence, showing once again that this war exists and endures only because Russia chooses so.
My heart goes out to the victims, their families, and all those affected…
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission:
This morning, Russian cruelty struck again, killing men, women and children in the city of Sumy.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) April 13, 2025
⁰A barbaric attack, made even more vile as people gathered peacefully to celebrate Palm Sunday.
This latest escalation is a grim reminder:
Russia was and remains the aggressor, in…
Kaja Kallas, EU foreign policy representative:
Heartbreaking scenes from Sumy this morning as residents gathered for Palm Sunday only to be met by Russian missiles.
— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) April 13, 2025
Horrific example of Russia intensifying attacks while Ukraine has accepted an unconditional ceasefire.
My thoughts are with the Ukrainian people today.
Germany
Chancellor Olaf Scholz:
“The images from Sumy, where Russian missiles killed innocent civilians on Palm Sunday, are horrific.
Our thoughts are with the families of the victims and the injured.
Germany condemns this barbaric attack in the strongest possible terms.
Such Russian attacks reveal the true nature of Russia’s so-called willingness for peace.
Instead, we see that Russia continues its war of aggression against Ukraine with relentless brutality.
This war must end, and Russia must finally agree to a comprehensive ceasefire.
We are working toward this together with our European and international partners.”
Die Bilder aus Sumy, wo russische Raketen am Palmsonntag unschuldige Zivilisten getötet haben, sind schrecklich.
— Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (@Bundeskanzler) April 13, 2025
Unsere Gedanken sind bei den Angehörigen der Opfer und Verletzten.
Deutschland verurteilt diesen barbarischen Angriff auf das Schärfste. (1/3)
Sweden
Prime Minister (SwedishPM account):
My condolences to the people of Ukraine after Russia’s horrific attack on Sumy this Palm Sunday. This is not the act of a country that seeks peace. Increased pressure on Russia and strong military support to Ukraine is necessary. Ukraine is defending not only its own freedom, but…
— SwedishPM (@SwedishPM) April 13, 2025
Denmark
PM Frederiksen, via the Danish government account:
1/2 PM Frederiksen: “Deeply horrified by Russia's missile attack on civilians gathered on Palm Sunday in Sumy. Putin shows Russia's true face. No one can be in doubt about who is the attacker and who is the victim in this war.”
— Statsministeriet (@Statsmin) April 13, 2025
Finland
Elina Valtonen, Minister for Foreign Affairs:
Horrific news from Sumy in Ukraine where Russian missiles killed tens of people including children on their way to church for Palm Sunday.
— Elina Valtonen (@elinavaltonen) April 13, 2025
My thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones.
The world has waited for more than a month for Russia to agree on a ceasefire. Yet…
Lithuania
President Gitanas Nausėda:
Another vile Russian war crime - this time in the heart of Sumy. This is a slap in the face to everyone who seeks and desires peace.
— Gitanas Nausėda (@GitanasNauseda) April 13, 2025
The civilized world must use force to stop these barbarians who are killing civilians and children.
Our hearts are with the families of the…
Latvia
President Edgars Rinkēvičs:
As Christians celebrate Palm Sunday Russia again has killed dozens of innocent civilians in Ukraine. This barbaric act shows that Russia does not want peace. My condolences to the families of the victims and the wounded. Latvia reaffirms its support for Ukraine and just peace.
— Edgars Rinkēvičs (@edgarsrinkevics) April 13, 2025
Estonia
President Alar Karis:
Heartbreaking news from Sumy. Many innocent lives lost, including children, in yet another brutal Russian missile attack. Deepest condolences to the victims’ families. We stand firmly for Ukraine’s right to defend themselves.
— Alar Karis (@AlarKaris) April 13, 2025
Czech Republic
Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský:
“I’m thinking of all those who lost loved ones in the vile attack on the city of Sumy.
Russia does not want to change. Russia does not seek peace.
It is run by murderers who prove every day that they have no intention of making peace.
The Czech Republic stands with Ukraine.”
Myslím na všechny pozůstalé obětí, které zabil odporný útok na město Sumy. Rusko se nechce změnit, Rusko neusiluje o mír. Je řízeno vrahy, kteří každý den dokazují, že neusilují o mír. Česko zůstává s Ukrajinou.
— Jan Lipavský (@JanLipavsky) April 13, 2025
Moldova
President Maia Sandu:
Palm Sunday is a day of peace. This morning, as people gathered to pray, Russia bombed Sumy—killing and injuring civilians. Moldova mourns with Ukraine and urges more air defence to save lives.
— Maia Sandu (@sandumaiamd) April 13, 2025
The aggressor must be held accountable. There is no justification for such evil.
Poland
Prime Minister Donald Tusk:
The Russian version of a ceasefire. Bloody Palm Sunday, Sumy UA🇺🇦🖤
— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) April 13, 2025
Croatia
Government of Croatia (@VladaRH):
“We strongly condemn the horrific Russian attack on Sumy, in which at least 21 people lost their lives. We express our sympathy to the families of the victims, the Ukrainian people, and President Zelenskyy.
We wish strength and recovery to the injured. Croatia stands with Ukraine in its fight for freedom and peace.”
Najoštrije osuđujemo strašan ruski napad na Sumi, u kojem je život izgubila najmanje 21 osoba. Suosjećamo s obiteljima poginulih, ukrajinskim narodom i predsjednikom @ZelenskyyUa. Ozlijeđenima želimo snagu i oporavak. Hrvatska je uz Ukrajinu u njezinoj borbi za slobodu i mir.
— Vlada Republike Hrvatske (@VladaRH) April 13, 2025
The Netherlands
Prime Minister Dick Schoof:
“A horrific Russian attack this morning on the center of the Ukrainian city of Sumy, with dozens killed and wounded, including many children.
I’m thinking of all the victims and the wounded, and of all the unnecessary suffering caused by this act of aggression.
This attack shows once again: we must continue to increase pressure on Russia and continue to support Ukraine — including with air defense, so Ukraine can defend itself against this violence.”
Afschuwelijke Russische aanval vanmorgen op het centrum van de Oekraïnese stad Soemy met tientallen doden en gewonden waaronder veel kinderen.
— Dick Schoof (@MinPres) April 13, 2025
Ik denk aan alle slachtoffers en gewonden en aan al het onnodige verdriet wat deze daad van agressie heeft veroorzaakt.
Deze aanval…
Italy
Giorgia Meloni:
“On this holy day of Palm Sunday, another horrible and despicable attack has been carried out by Russia, in Sumy, yet again resulting in innocent civilian victims, sadly including also children.
I firmly condemn these unacceptable acts of violence, which contradict any real efforts towards peace, being advanced by President Trump and strongly supported by Italy together with Europe and other international partners. I express my most sincere condolences for the victims, to their families and all Ukrainian people. We will continue to work to stop this barbarity,” Meloni stated.
Earlier, on April 4, a Russian Iskander missile armed with cluster munitions struck a residential neighborhood in Kryvyi Rih. The strike killed at least 20 people, including nine children, and injured over 70 more.
