At least 34 civilians, including two children, have been killed and 117 more injured in a Russian missile strike on the city of Sumy, according to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.
Fifteen children were among the civilians injured in “cars, public transport, in houses" after the direct hit on the bustling city on Sunday morning.
"Only scoundrels can act like this. Taking the lives of ordinary people," President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on social media, alongside a chilling video which showed corpses on the ground, a destroyed bus and burnt-out cars in the middle of a sunny square.
Zelensky added: "The United States, Europe, everyone in the world who wants an end to this war and murders. Russia wants exactly this kind of terror and is dragging out this war. Without pressure on the aggressor, peace is impossible.”
The strike comes less than a day after Russia and Ukraine's top diplomats accused each other of violating a tentative US-brokered deal to pause strikes on energy infrastructure, underscoring the challenges of negotiating an end to the three-year war.
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Key points
- Death toll jumps again after Sumy missile strike
- Zelensky demands 'tough' reaction to Sumy strike
- US demands control over Ukraine pipeline carrying Russian gas - report
- Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of failing to pause strikes
Death toll jumps again after Sumy missile strike
17:18
,
Barney Davis
They said as of 6pm local time: “34 people have died, including 2 children.
“117 people have been injured, including 15 children.
“We express our sincere condolences to the families of the deceased. This is an irreparable loss for the entire country.”
PM demands Putin agrees to ceasefire 'without conditions'
16:24
,
Barney Davis
The British Prime Minister has expressed his disgust at Russia’s Sumy missile strikes that killed at least 32 people including two children.
Sir Keir Starmer posted on X: “I'm appalled at Russia’s horrific attacks on civilians in Sumy and my thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones at this tragic time.
“President Zelensky has shown his commitment to peace. Putin must now agree to a full and immediate ceasefire without conditions.”
Injured toll reaches 99 in Sumy rocket strike
15:22
,
Barney Davis
Two ballistic missiles struck the heart of the northeastern city of Sumy at around 10.15am as people gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday, according to officials.
Images from the scene on official channels showed lines of black body bags lying on the side of the road, while more bodies were seen wrapped in foil blankets among the debris. A charred bus with blood soaked seats and broken glass scattered everywhere remains on the once busy square.
Video footage also showed fire crews as they fought to extinguish the shells of burned-out cars among the rubble from damaged buildings.
At least 32 people were killed as a result of the attack, including two children, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine said in a statement. A further 99 people were injured, including 11 children, it said.
EU leaders unite in horror at Sumy missile strike
15:03
,
Barney Davis
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, said on X: “Heartbreaking scenes from Sumy this morning as residents gathered for Palm Sunday only to be met by Russian missiles.
“Horrific example of Russia intensifying attacks while Ukraine has accepted an unconditional ceasefire.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu stated that her country mourns with Ukraine.
“Palm Sunday is a day of peace. This morning, as people gathered to pray, Russia bombed Sumy—killing and injuring civilians. Moldova mourns with Ukraine and urges more air defence to save lives,” Sandu wrote.
She stressed that “the aggressor must be held accountable. There is no justification for such evil.”
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna also expressed sympathy, posting: “There are not enough words in the world to describe the inhumanity and evil of Russia.
“Our hearts are with Ukraine. Heartfelt condolences to all those affected by the Sumy attack.”
Macron decries 'blatant disregard for human lives' after Sumy attack kills at least 32
14:33
,
Barney Davis
French President Emmanuel Macron says the strike on Sumy that killed at least 32 shows Russia has “blatant disregard for human lives, international law, and the diplomatic efforts of President Trump”.
“Everyone knows this war was initiated by Russia alone and today it is clear that Russia alone chooses to continue it."
Lavrov claims Ukraine has been attacking Russia every day amid Sumy strikes
14:02
,
Barney Davis
"The Ukrainians have been attacking us from the very beginning, every passing day, maybe with two or three exceptions," Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said, adding that Moscow would provide the US, Turkey and international bodies with a list of Kyiv's attacks during the past three weeks.
His Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, fiercely contested that claim, saying on Saturday that Russia had launched "almost 70 missiles, over 2,200 (exploding) drones, and over 6,000 guided aerial bombs at Ukraine, mostly at civilians," since agreeing to the limited pause on strikes.
The attack on Sumy on Sunday is the second large-scale attack to claim civilian lives in just over a week, following a deadly missile strike on Mr Zelensky's hometown of Kryvyi Rih on April 4 that killed some 20 people, including nine children.
Sumy university destroyed in 'brutal' strike
13:32
,
Barney Davis
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has accused the Russians of targeting crowds of civilians with missiles as the death toll rises in Sumy.
The building of Sumy State University and nearby houses were destroyed, he said on X.
“A cynical and brutal Russian strike on the center of the city of Sumy. On a holiday, on a Sunday, the enemy deliberately targeted civilian infrastructure with missiles, in an area crowded with people. Many dead and injured. My sincere condolences to the families.”
Shmyhal stressed that the Russian “occupiers” will be held accountable for their crimes.
“The world must act. More air defense systems, more weapons, more sanctions against Russia — these are what will save the lives of thousands of civilians,” he emphasised.
Death toll rises again to 32
12:57
,
Barney Davis
At least 32 civilians, including two children, have been killed and 83 more injured in a Russian missile strike on the city of Sumy, according to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.
Deadly strike comes 'right after' US visit to Moscow for ceasefire talks
12:45
,
Barney Davis
The Russian ballistic missile strikes that killed at least 31 people, including two children were intentional, Andrii Kovalenko, Head of the Centre for Countering Disinformation, has claimed.
“On Palm Sunday, Russian animals deliberately targeted peaceful civilians in Sumy with missiles to cause as many casualties as possible. And this happened right after [Donald Trump’ s special representative] Steve Witkoff's visit to Putin in Moscow,” he said on Telegram.
Kovalenko pointed out that a previous deadly strike on Kryvyi Rih, which killed many children, took place shortly after Russian representative Kirill Dmitriev visited Washington, where he reportedly met with Steve Witkoff.
“All of Russia’s so-called diplomacy and extortion is built around strikes on civilians,” Kovalenko stated.
At least 31 killed including two children killed in Sumy strike - State Emergency Service of Ukraine
12:14
,
Barney Davis
At least 31 civilians, including two children, have been killed and 83 more injured in a Russian missile strike on the city of Sumy, according to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.
“Update: As of 13:40, 31 people were killed, among them 2 children. 84 people were affected, 10 of them were children. The work continues.”
Sumy missile strike death toll rises to 24 including one child
11:49
,
Barney Davis
24 people, including one child, have been killed in the Palm Sunday missile strike on Sumy, according to a statement from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine's Telegram channel.
They said in a 1pm update: “24 people were killed, including 1 child, in two rocket strikes on the city.
“84 people were injured, including 7 children. Our sincere condolences to the families of the deceased.”
President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier called the strike one of the deadliest attacks on Ukrainian soil this year.
On April 4 ,a Russian missile attack on the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih has killed at least 18 people.
Nine of the dead were children, said Zelensky, who grew up in Kryvyi Rih.
Two women killed in Kupiansk rocket launcher strike
11:45
,
Barney Davis
Russian troops launched a rocket launcher attack on Kupiansk killing two women, Oleh Syniehubov, Head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration said on Telegram.
"As a result of the shelling, structural elements of a garage caught fire over an area of 10 square meters. Sadly, two women were killed in the courtyard of a five-story residential building.
“The enemy continues its deliberate terror against the civilian population," Syniehubov wrote.
'Everything is going well' Kremlin says on ceasefire process as 21 killed in Sumy
11:25
,
Barney Davis
A Kremlin spokesperson has said ceasefire talks with the United States were progressing - even as 21 civilians were killed in a rocket strike on Sumy.
"Everything is going very well," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian state television's most prominent Kremlin reporter, Pavel Zarubin on Sunday when asked about the differing views of the state of relations between Moscow and Washington.
Contacts were underway at several levels, Peskov said, including via the foreign ministry, intelligence agencies and Putin's investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev.
"But, of course, it is impossible to expect any instant results," Peskov said.
Seven children among 83 injured in Sumy strikes
11:00
,
Barney Davis
At least 21 people have been killed and 83 more injured Ukraine's interior minister, Ihor Klymenko said on his Telegram channel.
“21 people died. 83 people were injured, including 7 children. All are receiving medical assistance”, he posted.
“Emergency services continue to work at the scene.
“Sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims of Sumy, we grieve with you.”
'There will be retribution for everything'
10:49
,
Barney Davis
Sumy mayor Oleksandr Lysenko demands revenge for Palm Sunday strike on his city.
“So much heartbreak. Russian ballistic missiles are killing civilians in my city,” he posted on Telegram.
“There will be retribution for everything. It is already known about more than 20 dead.”
Acting mayor of Sumy posts harrowing image of child's scooter in aftermath of Russian strike
10:33
,
Barney Davis
"On this bright Palm Sunday, our community has suffered a terrible tragedy," acting mayor of Sumy Artem Kobzar said in a statement on Telegram.
"Unfortunately, we already know of more than 20 deaths."
Zelensky demands 'tough' reaction to Sumy strike
10:23
,
Barney Davis
President Volodymyr Zelensky says Russia hit the centre of Sumy "on the day when people go to church – Palm Sunday, the feast of the Lord's Entry into Jerusalem.
"The United States, Europe, everyone in the world who wants an end to this war and murders. Russia wants exactly this kind of terror and is dragging out this war. Without pressure on the aggressor, peace is impossible," Zelensky says.
He adds that "talks have never stopped ballistic missiles and air bombs".
The president says the missile hit "an ordinary city street, ordinary life: houses, educational institutions, cars on the street" and that a rescue operation is now under way.
The president calls for "a tough reaction from the world".
In pictures: Aftermath of Sumy missile strike
10:21
,
Barney Davis
More than 20 civilians killed in Sumy strike
10:09
,
Barney Davis
More than 20 people have been killed in a Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy, the city's acting mayor has said.
Two ballistic missiles struck the heart of the city as local people gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday.
"On this bright Palm Sunday, our community has suffered a terrible tragedy," Artem Kobzar said in a statement on social media. "Unfortunately, we already know of more than 20 deaths."
The strike comes less than a day after Russia and Ukraine's top diplomats accused each other of violating a tentative US-brokered deal to pause strikes on energy infrastructure, underscoring the challenges of negotiating an end to the three-year war.
Mayor of Ukraine's Sumy says 'many dead' after Russian missile strike
09:32
,
Barney Davis
The acting mayor of the northern Ukrainian city of Sumy said on Sunday that there were "many dead" after a Russian missile strike.
He did not immediately provide further details.
Zelensky hails jet pilot killed on mission
09:20
,
Barney Davis
A Ukrainian F-16 Viper jet has been killed during a combat mission, Ukraine's Air Force wrote on Telegram.
26-year-old Pavlo Ivanov is only the second confirmed F-16 loss that Ukraine has faced.
He died in battle on Saturday "defending his native land from the occupiers," according to a translation.
"All the circumstances of the tragedy are being established by an interdepartmental commission," Ukraine's Air Force added.
President Voldymyr Zelensky wrote on Telegram: “My condolences to the family and all of Pavel's brothers-in-arms.
“Ukrainian F-16s, Mirages, MiGs, all of our combat aviation heroically perform military missions, defend our state and support ground operations.
“The Air Force is also involved in protecting Ukraine from Russian missiles and drones.
“We are proud of our warriors. We will respond strongly and correctly. Glory to Ukraine!"
‘Russians are trying to ban everything Ukrainian’: Resident describes life under occupation
08:34
,
Andy Gregory
Residents living in Russian-occupied Ukraine have told the BBC of the oppression they are facing, as Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff continually discusses the prospect of Kyiv ceding four territories sought by Russia as part of a ceasefire deal.
“Russians are trying to ban everything Ukrainian here: language, and also traditions. Even Ukrainian holidays are forbidden,” said one woman using the pseudonym of Maria, who is a member of an all-female underground resistance group waging a campaign of peaceful resistance against Russia’s occupation, mainly by distributing leaflets and newsletters.
The BBC reported that Ukrainians in occupied areas appear to be denied healthcare and free movement unless they take up Russian citizenship, while Maria said that Russian officials had been installing surveillance systems. She said: “They are putting up a lot of CCTV cameras to control everybody, to find all the activists.”
Maria added: “In city centres, everything is covered with Russian propaganda: billboards with Putin’s face, Putin’s quotes, people they call heroes of the special military operation. There are flags everywhere.”
Germany’s Merz says war must end before Ukraine can join Nato or EU
07:57
,
Andy Gregory
Germany’s incoming chancellor Friedrich Merz has warned that Ukraine cannot join Nato or the European Union while it is still at war with Russia.
“Ukraine is a very large European country, but it is a European country that is at war,” Mr Merz told Handelsblatt. “A country that is at war cannot become a member of Nato or the European Union."
“The promise of joining the European Union remains valid, as does the perspective of joining Nato,” Merz said. “But for both of these to happen, the war must end first.”
Last month, Germany’s parliament agreed to approve €3bn in military aid for Ukraine as part of a historic move to boost defence spending, making Berlin the largest European backer of Kyiv.
Russia suffers 1,220 casualties as 120 frontline clashes reported in past 24 hours, says Ukraine
07:32
,
Andy Gregory
Russia has suffered 1,220 casualties as 120 combat clashes were reported along the front line on Saturday, the general staff of Ukraine’s military has said.
In its daily update, Ukraine said Russia had launched 135 air strikes, while firing more than 6,600 artillery shells, and deploying more than 2,700 kamikaze drones.
Ukraine also said it had stopped more than 30 Russian attacks in the direction of Pokrovsk, the Donetsk city which remains the focus of Vladimir Putin’s forces and has fuelled the most intense fighting in recent months.
Ukraine says Russia launched 55 drones overnight
07:03
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Ukraine's air defence units intercepted and destroyed 43 drones of 55 launched by Russia overnight targeting northern, southern and central areas of Ukraine, the air force said this moring.
In its post on Telegram, the Ukraine air force did not say what happened to the drones that escaped destruction.
Ukarine says Russia preparing for assault in Kharkiv
06:30
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Russian forces are regrouping and preparing for a renewed assault in the Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine’s Operational-Strategic Group of Forces warned over the weekend.
The military group said Russians were actively replenishing their units and getting ready to resume offensive operations in the region.
At least four people were injured after a Russian guided aerial bomb struck a residential house in Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast yesterday.
Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of failing to pause strikes
05:30
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Russia and Ukraine's top diplomats yesterday used a high-level conference in Turkey to once again trade accusations of violating a tentative US-brokered deal to pause strikes on energy infrastructure, underscoring the challenges of negotiating an end to the three-year-long war.
The two foreign ministers spoke at separate events at the annual Antalya Diplomacy Forum, a day after US envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian president Vladimir Putin to discuss peace prospects. Ukraine's European allies on Friday promised billions of dollars to help Kyiv keep fighting Russia's invasion.
While Moscow and Kyiv both agreed in principle last month to implement a limited, 30-day ceasefire, they issued conflicting statements soon after their separate talks with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia. They differed on the start time of halting strikes, and alleged near-immediate breaches by the other side.
"The Ukrainians have been attacking us from the very beginning, every passing day, maybe with two or three exceptions," Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said, adding that Moscow would provide the US, Turkey and international bodies with a list of Kyiv's attacks during the past three weeks.
A representative of the Russian foreign ministry separately told state media yesterday that Moscow has been sharing intelligence with the US regarding more than 60 supposed breaches of the deal by Kyiv.
Russian missile targeted Indian warehouse, says Ukraine
04:59
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Officials in Ukraine claimed a Russian missile deliberately struck the warehouse of an Indian pharmaceutical company in Kyiv.
"Today, a Russian missile struck the warehouse of Indian pharmaceutical company Kusum in Ukraine. While claiming 'special friendship' with India, Moscow deliberately targets Indian businesses - destroying medicines meant for children and the elderly," Ukraine's embassy in India said on X.
Ukrainian F-16 pilot killed in combat
04:41
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
A 26-year-old Ukrainian F-16 pilot was killed yesterday while performing a combat mission, the Ukrainian air force said.
Pavlo Ivanov is the second F-16 pilot to be killed since Ukraine recently added the fighters to its arsenal. A 30-year-old pilot died in August last year when a fighter aircraft crashed while repelling a Russian air attack.
“We express our deepest condolences to Pavlo’s family. He died in battle, defending his homeland from occupiers," the air force said in a statement.
“Ukrainian pilots work at the maximum of human and technical capabilities, risking their lives each time they perform combat missions. Pavlo was one of them."
Trump says talks on Russia-Ukraine war talks might be going OK
04:40
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
US president Donald Trump said yesterday that talks to end Russia's war on Ukraine might be going OK, adding that there is a time when you have to put up or shut up.
At a meeting between US and Russian envoys earlier this week, it was reportedly said that the fastest way to broker a ceasefire in Ukraine was to support a strategy that would give Russia ownership of four eastern Ukrainian regions it attempted to annex illegally in 2022.
US demands control over Ukraine pipeline carrying Russian gas - report
04:16
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
The US has demanded control of a key pipeline in Ukraine that is used to send Russian gas to Europe, according to reports, while Kyiv negotiates a mineral deal with Donald Trump's administration.
Prospects for a breakthrough in the minerals deal between Washington and Kyiv were scant given the meeting's "antagonistic" atmosphere, a source told Reuters, following last week's meeting.
The US has demanded that the government's International Development Finance Corporation take control of a natural gas pipeline, which runs from the town of Sudzha in western Russia to the Ukrainian city of Uzhhorod.
Senior economist Volodymyr Landa told The Guardian that Washington's bullying “colonial-type” demands had little chance of being accepted by Kyiv.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky last week said a minerals deal should be profitable for both countries and could be structured in a way that would help modernise Ukraine.
The latest draft would give the US privileged access to Ukraine's mineral deposits and require Kyiv to place in a joint investment fund all income from the exploitation of natural resources by Ukrainian state and private firms.
The proposed deal, however, would not provide US security guarantees to Kyiv – a top priority of Mr Zelensky – for its fight against Russian forces occupying some 20 per cent of its territory.
