On April 13, at around 10:15 a.m., Russian troops launched two powerful rocket attacks on the central part of the city of Sumy. By data According to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, as of 15:00 the number of dead has increased to 32 people, including two children. Another 84 people were injured, including ten children. Search and rescue operations are ongoing at the scene of the tragedy, in which all specialized emergency services are involved.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi expressed his condolences to the relatives and friends of the victims. He stated:
“It is very important for everyone in the world not to be silent, not to remain indifferent. Russian strikes deserve only condemnation. Pressure on Russia is needed to end the war and guarantee people’s safety. Without really strong pressure, without proper support from Ukraine, Russia will continue to drag out this war.
It has been the second month that Putin has ignored America’s proposal for a complete and unconditional ceasefire. Unfortunately, they are sure there, in Moscow, that they can afford to kill further. We need to act to change the situation.”
Head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov reported, from where exactly the rockets were launched. According to him, the missile attack was carried out from the territory of the Voronezh region (locality of Liski) and the Kursk region (locality of Lezhenki) of Russia. Budanov clarified that the strike was carried out by Russian missile units – the 112th and 448th missile brigades, using Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles.
Photo: t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official
High-ranking officials of the European Union reacted to the barbaric missile attack, emphasizing its criminal nature.
Ambassador of the European Union to Ukraine Katarina Maternova reacted to this terrible event on the social network X. She called the rocket attack a war crime, expressed her sincere condolences to the families of the victims, noting:
“A terrible Russian attack on Sumy this morning – two ballistic missiles hit the center of the city. Just when the parishioners gathered for service on Palm Sunday! Another in a series of war crimes!”.
At the same time, the Chairman of the European Council, Antonio Kosta stated about his deep outrage at this attack:
“I am outraged by Russia’s criminal missile attack on the center of the city of Sumy. Russia continues its campaign of violence, once again demonstrating that this war exists and continues only because Russia has decided to do so.”
He emphasized that the European Union will continue to be close to the people of Ukraine, and those guilty of the crime should be brought to justice.
The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaya Callas also joined the statements. In her publication, she wrote:
“Terrible events took place in Sumy this morning, when residents of the city gathered for Palm Sunday, but were met by Russian rockets. A terrible example of how Russia is escalating attacks while Ukraine has accepted an unconditional ceasefire. My thoughts are with the Ukrainian people today.”
