On Palm Sunday, an extremely accurate missile hit the city of Sumy, Ukraine. This attack has now turned out to be the most deadly attack on civilians in 2023. At least 24 people — one of them a child — have died. In addition, 84 others were wounded, including seven children. Residents had travelled to attend church services in the downtown area. What had been their day of worship was turned by the attack into a day of despair.
The attack consisted of two medium-range ballistic missiles shot by Russian troops, destroying a residential building in the center of Sumy. Eyewitness accounts described the missiles falling as families were en route to or participating in their Eid celebrations resulting in further chaos and awakening to devastation. Media coverage described the strike as one of the single deadliest attacks on Ukrainian civilians since early 2023.
For the last several weeks, Russia has increased its aerial and missile strikes into the Sumy region and across the Kursk border. This ramp-up has driven Ukrainian troops back from most of the area’s surrounding territory. The escalation in military aggression has sparked growing alarm over the safety of civilians living among the combatants in the region.
“Dozens of victims were today’s missile attack,” said Artem Kobzar, the acting mayor of Sumy. In the wake of this unimaginable tragedy, the local leaders are working with communities to heal and move forward. They’re doing tremendous work to help the injured and support the recovery efforts.
“Russia wants exactly this kind of terror and is dragging out this war,” said President Volodymyr Zelensky in response to the attack. He emphasized the necessity for a “strong response from the world” to deter further aggression.
The military administration head in the region, Volodymyr Artyukh, expressed his concern over the intent behind the attack: “The enemy was hoping to inflict the greatest damage on people in the city of Sumy.” This feeling is reflective of a larger global cry for action against what many perceive to be the terrorist acts of Russia.
Ukrainian officials have repeatedly underscored the need for continued global pressure on Russia. President Zelensky put it clearly, “without constant pressure on the aggressor, peace is not possible. Diplomatic discussions won’t deter ballistic missiles and bombers. We must have the audacity to treat Russia like the terrorist it is.
Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister, doubled – or tripled – down on this message. He wrote, “Force is the only language these savages understand and the only way to stop their barbarous terror.”
