European leaders have strongly condemned a deadly Russian missile strike on the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy, which killed over 30 people and left nearly 100 injured during Palm Sunday celebrations.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the attack as “barbaric” and accused Russia of continuing its “cruelty” in a social media post on X (formerly Twitter). “Russia was and remains the aggressor, in blatant violation of international law,” she said.
The missile strike, which occurred on Sunday, hit a residential area where families had gathered to mark the Christian holiday. Ukrainian officials reported that 33 people were killed in the blast and at least 99 others were injured, including 11 children. Emergency services and local authorities are continuing rescue efforts, fearing the death toll could rise as debris is cleared.
Graphic images from the aftermath showed rows of black body bags lined along the street, while several more victims were covered in foil blankets among the rubble. Burned-out vehicles and damaged buildings littered the area, and emergency responders were seen working through the wreckage, attempting to extinguish fires sparked by the blast.
The Ukrainian State Emergency Service confirmed the scale of the devastation, noting that residential buildings, shops, and a nearby community center sustained significant damage.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strike, calling it a deliberate attack on civilians and a clear war crime. “Russia continues to bring terror and death to our cities,” he said. “On a holy day meant for peace and reflection, they chose violence.”
International reactions were swift. European Council President Charles Michel also took to social media, expressing condolences to the victims and reaffirming Europe’s support for Ukraine. “Our thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones. Europe stands united with Ukraine against this brutal aggression,” Michel stated.
The strike on Sumy is part of a broader escalation in attacks on civilian infrastructure and populated areas in Ukraine, raising further concerns among international human rights organizations and global leaders.
As the war in Ukraine enters its third year, European Union officials reiterated calls for continued military and humanitarian support to Kyiv, emphasizing that acts such as the Sumy strike underscore the need for accountability and justice.
The attack comes as discussions over future peace negotiations remain deeply contentious, with Ukrainian officials vowing not to concede territory and Western allies reaffirming their support for Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Meanwhile, recovery teams in Sumy continue the difficult task of clearing rubble and aiding survivors, as the country mourns another deadly chapter in an unrelenting conflict.
