Russia Fires Missiles Ahead of Easter... Over 150 Ukrainian Civilians Casualties Reported

Two Russian Ballistic Missiles Strike Sumy in Northeastern Ukraine
Holiday Devastation: 17 Children Killed or Injured
Immediate Official Condemnation from the US, France, and Europe

On the 13th (local time), after Russia launched a ballistic missile attack on Sumy in northeastern Ukraine, Ukrainian rescue workers are engaged in firefighting and life-saving operations. Photo by UPI

On the 13th, a week before Easter, Russia launched a ballistic missile attack targeting Sumy city in northeastern Ukraine, resulting in over 150 casualties. Amid fierce criticism from the international community, including the United States, over this inhumane act, Kaya Kallas, the European Union (EU) foreign affairs representative, lamented it as a "horrifying and tragic scene."

According to the US AP news agency, Russian forces fired two ballistic missiles toward Sumy city around 10:20 a.m. local time. The missiles struck a conference center affiliated with Sumy National University and a trolleybus, causing 32 deaths, including two children. The number of injured reached 117, including 15 children, and is expected to rise. The day was Palm Sunday, a week before Easter, when many citizens were heading to church carrying willow branches and were caught in the attack. Released vehicle black box footage showed an orange flash followed by debris and smoke rising, with people screaming and fleeing.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "The enemy's missiles targeted ordinary city streets and ordinary lives," adding, "There are dozens of civilian deaths and injuries, which only despicable people could commit." He continued, "Dialogue has failed to stop ballistic missiles and bombs. Peace is impossible without pressure on the aggressor," urging a strong global response by saying, "Russia must be treated as terrorists."

Immediate criticism toward Russia also poured in from the international community. Keith Kellogg, a special envoy of former US President Donald Trump, described it as "violence beyond military ethics." UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated, "Putin must agree to an unconditional immediate ceasefire," while French President Emmanuel Macron supported this by saying, "Everyone knows that Russia is the only one who wants war."

On the 13th (local time), following a ballistic missile attack launched by Russia on Sumy, northeastern Ukraine, which resulted in over 150 casualties, two men at the scene of the damage are seen embracing each other with bowed heads, crying. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

The attack came just two days after Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy for the Middle East, visited Russia and met with President Vladimir Putin to discuss ceasefire plans. On the 11th, Special Envoy Witkoff held a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg for about four and a half hours. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters before the meeting, "Do not expect a groundbreaking breakthrough."

Unlike Ukraine, Russia has refused to engage in discussions on a 30-day ceasefire proposed by the US. Currently occupying about 20% of Ukrainian territory, Russia demands recognition of its occupied territories in Ukraine along with preconditions including ▲ lifting Western sanctions against Russia ▲ establishing buffer zones ▲ Ukraine's abandonment of NATO and EU membership ▲ cessation of Western arms support. Regarding the Black Sea safe navigation guarantee proposed by the US as a negotiation condition, Russia maintains that negotiations can only proceed after the lifting of Western restrictions on maritime insurance, port usage, and international payments.