Russia Strikes Northeastern Ukraine In Deadliest Attack This Year

Russian missiles hit the Ukrainian northeastern city of Sumy in the deadliest attack on civilians this year, killing at least 21 people as residents gathered for Sunday church services, local officials said.

At least 34 people – including five children – have also been wounded in the strike according to the prosecutor’s office for the Sumy region.

Last week, a Russian missile attack killed 20 people in the central city of Kryvyi Rih.

“Many people were killed today as a result of the missile strike,” said Artem Kobzar, acting mayor of Sumy, confirming the death toll.

President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed deadly strikes in a statement and called for a “strong response from the world.”

“Russia wants exactly this kind of terror and is dragging out this war,” Zelensky said. “Without pressure on the aggressor, peace is impossible. Talking has never stopped ballistic missiles and bombs. We need to treat Russia as a terrorist deserves.”

The strikes hit the city center on Palm Sunday as residents were attending church services on one of the busiest church-going days of the year, according to Ukraine’s Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko.

Two ballistic missiles were fired by Russia into the city center, said Volodymyr Artyukh, head of the military administration in the region. “At that time, a lot of people were on the street,” he said.

“The enemy was hoping to inflict the greatest damage on people in the city of Sumy.”

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called it “absolute evil” to launch the attacks on a Christian holiday and noted that the missiles hit a residential area of the city.

“We urge partners to provide Ukraine with additional air defense capabilities and increase pressure on Moscow,” Sybiha said in a statement posted to X.

“Strength is the only language they can understand and the only way to put an end to the horrific terror.”

CNN/Ejiofor Ezeifeoma