LONDON — A Russian ballistic missile strike on the northeastern Ukrainian metropolis of Sumy killed not less than 31 folks on Sunday morning, emergency providers mentioned, as many there celebrated Palm Sunday.
“The enemy struck the civilian inhabitants once more,” performing Mayor Artem Kobzar wrote on Telegram. Ukraine’s State Emergency Service mentioned that not less than 31 folks — together with two kids — have been confirmed killed, with 84 others injured. Two missiles struck the middle of town, authorities mentioned.
The Sumy Metropolis Council mentioned the strike hit a number of buildings, together with residential ones. “On this brilliant day of Palm Sunday, our group suffered a horrible tragedy,” Kobzar wrote.
Andriy Yermak, the top of Ukraine’s presidential workplace, mentioned the missiles used cluster munitions, which spray smaller sub-munitions over the goal space. “A cluster munition missile is one thing the Russians do to kill as many civilians as potential,” Yermak wrote on Telegram. “The strike on town of Sumy is a deliberate shelling of civilians.”
This handout {photograph} taken and launched by the Sumy Metropolis Council on April 13, 2025, reveals native residents standing subsequent to a burning automobile on the website of a missile assault in Sumy, northeastern Ukraine on April 13, 2025.
Handout/Ukraine’s Sumy Metropolis Council/AFP
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned on Telegram that the “horrible strike” hit “an strange metropolis avenue, strange life: homes, instructional establishments, vehicles on the road.”
“And that is on a day when folks go to church: Palm Sunday, the feast of the lord’s entry into Jerusalem,” he added. “Solely a scoundrel can act like this. Taking the lives of strange folks. My condolences to the relations and associates. A rescue operation is underway now. All needed providers are working.”
“A troublesome response from the world is required,” Zelenskyy wrote. “The US, Europe, everybody on the planet who needs an finish to this warfare and murders. Russia needs precisely this type of terror and is dragging out this warfare. With out stress on the aggressor, peace is not possible.”
“Talks have by no means stopped ballistic missiles and air bombs,” Zelenskyy mentioned. “We want the type of angle in direction of Russia {that a} terrorist deserves.”

On this handout {photograph} taken and launched by the Ukrainian Emergency Service on April 13, 2025, a Ukrainian rescuer works to extinguish a hearth on the website of a missile assault in Sumy, northeastern Ukraine, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Handout/UKRAINIAN EMERGENCY SERVICE/AFP
ABC Information’ Natalia Popova, Natalia Kushnir and Victoria Beaule contributed to this report.