SUMY — Valeriia Maksimova and her husband woke up to the first explosion in central Sumy at around 10 a.m. Their house was damaged by the blast wave. The 38-year-old rushed to the kitchen to start clearing the rubble when the second explosion struck, throwing her three meters away into
Key developments on April 14: * Ukraine developing strategic-level air defense system, foreign minister says * Russia tries to land troops, break through Ukrainian defenses near Vovchansk in Kharkiv Oblast, military says * Death toll in Russian April 13 missile strike on Sumy rises to 35 * EU secures two-thirds of 2 million rounds
The attack occurred on Palm Sunday and is one of the deadliest on Sumy.
"Ukraine unconditionally agreed to a ceasefire over a month ago. The heinous attacks on Kryvyi Rih and Sumy are Russia's mocking answer," Poland’s Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said.
"Those behind this attack will not escape justice. Responsibility is also shared by everyone working for Kremlin's criminal regime, including Russian diplomats," Lithuania's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
A 13-year-old boy escaped from a burning bus and helped others to safety following a Russian missile strike that killed at least 34 people in the northeastern city of Sumy on Palm Sunday on April 13, local news outlet Kordon Media reported.
The worst toll came from a Russian ballistic missile strike on Sumy, where 34 people were killed, including two children, and at least 117 were injured, according to Ukraine's Emergency Service.
"On April 13, 2025, as a result of a missile strike by Russia, our theater family suffered a pain that words cannot describe. Inflicted wounds killed our colleague, artist of the orchestra theater — Olena Kohut," the Sumy National Theater said.
"This Friday marked exactly one month since Russia spurned the U.S. proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire. They are not afraid...Only pressure – only decisive action – can change this."
Russia's 112th and 448th missile brigades attacked the city of Sumy with two Iskander-M ballistic missiles, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) reported.
The event, allegedly planned by Sumy Oblast Governor Volodymyr Artiukh, posed undue risk to civilians and military personnel, Konotop Mayor Artem Semenikhin claimed.
"The United States extends our deepest condolences to the victims of today's horrifying Russian missile attack on Sumy," U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote on X. The statement did not include condemnation of Russia's actions or calls for increased sanctions on Moscow.
Key developments on April 12-13: * Russian strike kills at least 34, injures 117 in Sumy on Palm Sunday * 'There’s a point at which you have to either put up or shut up' — Trump says on Russia-Ukraine talks * Chinese military officers have been present behind Russian lines with Beijing's approval,
"Reports indicate, as in Kryvyi Rih, cluster munitions were used, increasing the devastation and harm to civilians," outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink said.
Editor's note: An original version of this article stated that every passenger on a bus hit in Russia's missile attack on Sumy had been killed in the strike, but reports the following morning found that a boy had managed to escape and rescue fellow passengers, including his mother. The burnt
"As a former military leader, I understand targeting and this is wrong," U.S. Special Envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg wrote in response to Russia's deadly Palm Sunday missile strike on civilians in Sumy.
Russia launched two ballistic missiles at the city in northeastern Ukraine on the morning of Palm Sunday, when many citizens were celebrating the religious holiday.
A Russian missile strike killed at least 34 people in Ukraine's northeastern city of Sumy on the morning of Palm Sunday, Sumy Mayor Artem Kobzar reported on April 13.
Ukrainian air defenses shot down 85 of the 145 attack and decoy drones launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported. Forty-nine drones disappeared from radars without causing damage, according to the statement.
"There are a lot of attempts there, daily. They (Russia) are bearing losses... There will be more attempts in the Kharkiv and Sumy directions," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
For nearly a week, Russian offensive operations have almost doubled in all main sectors, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said.
Key developments on April 7: * Russia claims capture of Sumy Oblast village, Ukraine calls it "disinformation campaign" * Russian forces push to secure ground west of Oskil River in Kupiansk sector, Ukraine says * Over 77,000 Russian targets hit, destroyed in March using drones, Ukraine's commander says * Indian component found in
Basivka remains marked as a "gray zone" on the DeepState monitoring map, indicating contested or unclear control.
Ukrainian forces downed 57 out of 131 Shahed-type drones and decoy drones launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported. Another 45 drones disappeared from radars, according to the statement.
A military hospital in Kharkiv was deliberately targeted by Russian forces overnight, according to the General Staff.
The news comes amid constant Russian attempts to cross the border in small groups and gain a foothold in the northeastern region.
Russia is likely preparing to launch a new offensive in the coming weeks to strengthen its position in possible peace talks with Ukraine, the Associated Press (AP) reported on March 29, citing Ukrainian analysts and two undisclosed G7 diplomatic sources.
"We must look at the situation with our eyes wide open. (Russian President Vladimir) Putin is preparing a new offensive, particularly in Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
"At the moment, we have 108 (victims), including 24 children. So the number has increased," First Deputy Mayor Artem Kuznetsov said.
Russia launched a devastating missile attack against the northeastern city of Sumy on March 24, just as the U.S. and Russia were leading ceasefire talks in Saudi Arabia.
Ukraine’s air defenses intercepted 57 of the 99 Russian drones launched overnight, including Shahed-type attack drones.
Ukraine's Air Force reportedly intercepted 75 of the 171 Russian drones launched overnight, including Shahed-type attack drones.
