Strike Hits Sumy, Children Among the Injured

A Russian missile strike on the city of Sumy on the morning of April 13 has left 34 people dead, including two children, and 117 others injured, among them 15 children, Orda.kz reports, citing Ukrainska Pravda.

Emergency services provide medical assistance to the victims, and rescue operations are ongoing at the impact site.

Ukrainian MP Maryana Bezuhla, known for her public criticism of military leadership, suggested on Telegram that the missile strike may have occurred after information about a troop gathering was leaked.

Meanwhile, ASTRA reports that the Mayor of Konotop (Sumy region), Artem Semenikhin, stated that no Ukrainian military personnel were injured as a result of the Russian strike on Sumy, as they were in shelter at the time.

Only civilians were affected.

Semenikhin claims an award ceremony for the 117th Territorial Defense Brigade was taking place in Sumy at the time, marking the anniversary of the brigade’s founding.

Semenikhin said that the gathering of military personnel was organized by the head of the Regional Military Administration, Volodymyr Artiukh, who, in his view, should resign.

He also stated that a criminal case has been opened against the organizers of the event involving military personnel.

According to Ukrainian media, two explosions were heard early in the morning. Several buildings were damaged, and images shared in local Telegram channels show a burned-out trolleybus and cars at the scene.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted to the attack, calling for a “strong response” from the United States, Europe, and “everyone in the world who wants this war and these killings to end."

The strike occurred around 10:15 a.m. local time on Palm Sunday in central Sumy, hitting residential areas, public transport, and educational institutions.

Original Author: Natalia Ovchinnikova

The article has been updated to reflect current developments.