The death toll of a Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy rose to 35, officials said on Monday evening.
Images posted from the scene on official channels showed lines of black body bags lying on the side of the road.
More bodies were seen wrapped in foil blankets among the debris.
Videos also captured fire crews as they fought to extinguish the shells of burnt-out cars among the rubble from damaged buildings.
At least 34 people were killed as a result of the attack, including two children, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine said in a statement on Sunday. A further 117 people were injured, including 15 children.Russian missile strike on Sumy today.
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) April 13, 2025
The missile hit the center of the city. Local authorities report that many people are dead and injured.
The morning of the Sunday before Easter is a time when many Ukrainians go to church. And Russia chose this time for its strike. pic.twitter.com/A3sMAcOeMa
One more fatal victim was confirmed on Monday by local authorities.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that rescue efforts were ongoing and said “dozens” had been killed in the double missile attack.
Andriy Yermak, Zelenskiy's chief of staff, said the missiles contained cluster munitions—smaller shells released from a larger device.
“The Russians are doing this to kill as many civilians as possible,” he said.
The Russian Federation has not acceded to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which prohibits their use.
International response
World leaders condemned Russia's missile attack on Sumy, denouncing the strike on civilians as a brutal escalation of violence.
Trump’s Special Presidential Envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, commented on the attack, saying it “crosses any line of decency.”
“There are scores of civilian dead and wounded. As a former military leader, I understand targeting and this is wrong,” he wrote on the X social media platform hours after the attack.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also condemned the Kremlin’s attack, saying it was “the Russian version of a Ceasefire.”Today's Palm Sunday attack by Russian forces on civilian targets in Sumy crosses any line of decency. There are scores of civilian dead and wounded. As a former military leader, I understand targeting and this is wrong. It is why President Trump is working hard to end this war.
— Keith Kellogg (@generalkellogg) April 13, 2025
French President Emmanuel Macron said: “Strong measures are needed to impose a ceasefire on Russia.”The Russian version of a ceasefire. Bloody Palm Sunday, Sumy UA🇺🇦🖤
— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) April 13, 2025
He added that “France is working tirelessly toward this goal, alongside its partners.”
European Council President António Costa wrote on X that he was “outraged” by Russia’s attack, and that “the European Union will always stand with the heroic people of Ukraine.”This morning, two Russian missiles struck the heart of the city of Sumy in Ukraine, causing numerous civilian casualties, including children once again.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 13, 2025
Everyone knows: this war was initiated by Russia alone. And today, it is clear that Russia alone chooses to continue it…
“Those responsible for these attacks must be held accountable before justice,” he added.
European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen commented on the attack, saying, “Russia was and remains the aggressor, in blatant violation of international law.”I’m outraged by Russia’s criminal missile attack on the city centre of Sumy.
— António Costa (@eucopresident) April 13, 2025
Russia continues its campaign of violence, showing once again that this war exists and endures only because Russia chooses so.
My heart goes out to the victims, their families, and all those affected…
She also called for “strong measures” to enforce a ceasefire.
“Europe will continue to reach out to partners and maintain strong pressure on Russia until the bloodshed ends and a just and lasting peace is achieved, on Ukraine’s terms and conditions,” she said.
This morning, Russian cruelty struck again, killing men, women and children in the city of Sumy.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) April 13, 2025
⁰A barbaric attack, made even more vile as people gathered peacefully to celebrate Palm Sunday.
This latest escalation is a grim reminder:
Russia was and remains the aggressor, in…
