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Russian Missile Strike Hits Sumy on Palm Sunday, Resulting in Civilian Casualties

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Ivan_khomenko
Ivan Khomenko
AUTHOR
Russian Missile Strike Hits Sumy on Palm Sunday, Resulting in Civilian Casualties
A victim lies inside a destroyed trolleybus following a Russian missile strike in Sumy on April 13, 2025. Most casualties occurred in public transport during the morning attack. (Source: Kordon.media)

Russian forces launched a missile strike on the city of Sumy on the morning of April 13, coinciding with the observance of Palm Sunday in Ukraine.

According to Andrii Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, the attack took place amid a declared ballistic missile threat in multiple regions. “Russia has once again struck Sumy,” Kovalenko said in a statement on Telegram.

Debris covers the street and vehicles burn following a Russian missile strike in central Sumy on April 13, 2025. Emergency services and civilians are seen at the scene. (Source: Sumy City Council)
Debris covers the street and vehicles burn following a Russian missile strike in central Sumy on April 13, 2025. Emergency services and civilians are seen at the scene. (Source: Sumy City Council)

Sumy’s acting mayor, Artem Kobzar, stated that the attack resulted in multiple civilian casualties. The exact number of fatalities has not yet been disclosed.

UPD: According to acting mayor Artem Kobzar, a Russian missile strike killed more than 20 people in Sumy. The attack occurred during the observance of Palm Sunday, with the missile hitting a civilian area in the city center. Authorities continue to assess the full scale of the damage.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to the strike, calling it a “horrific attack with Russian ballistic missiles” that hit an ordinary city street in Sumy on Palm Sunday.

According to the President, the missiles struck residential buildings, educational institutions, and civilian vehicles. He stated that preliminary reports indicate dozens of civilians were killed or injured in the attack.

Zelenskyy also emphasized the need for a strong international response, saying that “talks have never stopped ballistic missiles or air bombs,” and called on the United States, Europe, and global partners to take firm action against continued Russian aggression.

Burned vehicles and civilian casualties lie scattered after a Russian missile strike hit central Sumy on April 13, 2025. (Source: Ihor Klymenko/Telegram)
Burned vehicles and civilian casualties lie scattered after a Russian missile strike hit central Sumy on April 13, 2025. (Source: Ihor Klymenko/Telegram)

UPD: According to Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko, 21 people have been confirmed killed and at least 20 others injured in the missile strike on Sumy. Investigators are working at the scene to collect evidence of what officials describe as a war crime against the civilian population.

UPD: As of 12:20 p.m., updated figures from Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko report 21 people killed and 83 injured, including 7 children, in the missile strike on Sumy. Emergency services remain at the scene, providing medical assistance and continuing recovery operations.

Residents and emergency workers stand near bodies covered with thermal blankets after a Russian missile strike in central Sumy on April 13, 2025. (Source: Kordon.media)
Residents and emergency workers stand near bodies covered with thermal blankets after a Russian missile strike in central Sumy on April 13, 2025. (Source: Kordon.media)

UPD: According to the Sumy Regional Administration, Russia struck the city with ballistic missiles equipped with cluster munitions. One of the missiles detonated in the air, causing extensive damage and casualties.

UPD: As of 1:40 p.m., the death toll from the Russian missile strike on Sumy has risen to 31, including two children, according to State Emergency services. A total of 84 people have been injured, among them 10 children. Emergency response efforts remain ongoing at the site.

The majority of victims were passengers on a trolleybus—almost all of whom were killed. As of now, 24 people have been confirmed killed, including one child, and 84 others injured, among them seven children.

UPD: According to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, as of 2:10 p.m., 32 people have been confirmed dead in the missile strike on Sumy, including two children. By 3:35 p.m., the number of injured rose to 99, among them 11 children. Rescue operations are ongoing.

Body bags lie on the street near a damaged vehicle following a Russian missile strike in central Sumy on April 13, 2025. (Source: State Emergency Service of Ukraine)
Body bags lie on the street near a damaged vehicle following a Russian missile strike in central Sumy on April 13, 2025. (Source: State Emergency Service of Ukraine)

UPD: 34 killed and 119 injured in Russian missile strike on Sumy, including 2 children among the dead and 15 among the wounded, according to the State Emergency Service. Rescue teams continue search operations and are working to dismantle damaged structures.

UPD: According to the Sumy Regional Prosecutor’s Office, the death toll from the April 13 missile strike on central Sumy has risen to 35, including an 11-year-old boy and a 17-year-old teenager. A total of 117 people were injured, among them 15 children.

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.

Editor’s note: This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

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