Putin’s Palm Sunday Sumy Massacre Kills Dozens

Two Russian Iskander-M short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) armed with cluster munitions struck the Ukrainian city of Sumy, as the faithful traditionally walked to Palm Sunday church services, killing at least 34 and wounding 117. At the time of publication, search and rescue operations were still ongoing.

Two children are among the dead, including a newborn, and 15 more children were wounded. At least 68 people are in hospital, with eight in critical condition. It is the single worst attack on Ukrainian civilians since 5 October 2023, when a Russian missile struck people gathered for a funeral in Hroza, killing 56.

Videos of the aftermath from the first missile show Russia used a double-tap attack to maximize casualties. The second missile exploded in the air, 200 meters from the first strike, to maximize the spread of the submunitions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted an uncensored video of the screams of the wounded piercing the air between the wails of car alarms. Among the burning cars and scattered debris, the torn bodies of civilians lay on the roads and sidewalks.

Posting on Twitter (also known as X), Zelenskyy said, “Russian missiles hit an ordinary city street, ordinary life – residential buildings, educational institutions, cars on the street… [sic] And that’s on the day when people go to church – Palm Sunday, the feast of the Lord’s Entry into Jerusalem.”

The Ukrianian leader added, “Russia wants exactly this kind of terror and is dragging this war out,” while “The United States, Europe, everyone in the world…wants this war and these killings to end.”

The heart of Sumy, including the Congress Center (conference building), a courthouse, a post office, the Sumy Regional Philharmonic Orchestra, the Educational and Scientific Institute of Business, Economics and Management, and the Sports Hall campuses of Sumy State University, was targeted.

Among the dead are Olena Kohut, a college professor and solo organist with the Sumy Regional Philharmonic, and Diana Popova, the Director General of the Museum of History of the City of Kyiv.

Worshippers at a Baptist Church near the attack site had to duck for cover after the shockwave from the first missile broke windows, showering some congregants with broken glass.

Kirill Illiashenko, 13, is being hailed as a hero for helping rescuing passengers trapped in a burning bus he was riding in. The blast blocked the doors, and despite severe shrapnel wounds, Illiashenko kicked out a window, exited the bus, and was able to open the exit.

The head of the Main Defense Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine (GUR), Kyrylo Budanov, identified the Russian military units involved in the Palm Sunday Massacre. Missiles were launched from Liski in the Voronezh region by the 112th Missile Brigade, and Lezhenki in the Kursk region by the 448th Missile Brigade.

The attack happened nine days after the Kryvyi Rih missile strike on a playground killed 19, including nine children, and wounded 75. Russia and Ukraine are technically in a partial ceasefire brokered by the United States that started on 18 March, which Moscow has repeatedly violated.

Mayor of Konotop Calls for Sumy Governor’s Firing

Artem Semenikhin, the mayor of the Sumy region settlement of Konotop, accused Sumy Oblast Governor Volodymyr Artiukh of planning a 13 April awards ceremony for the Ukrainian 117th Brigade in Sumy.

“They want PR for the military,” Semenikhin wrote on Facebook, “They wanted to take pictures at the awards ceremony and thank…And as a result, they poured blood on Sumy, helping the Muscovites commit genocide against Ukrainians.”

During a 14-minute livestream, he claimed an internal criminal investigation was opened. “[A] criminal case has been opened not only for the terrorist genocidal attack by the butchers [Russians – Ed.] against Ukrainians, but also…to find out who thought of holding events with a gathering of military personnel in the city center.”

Ukrainska Pravda reported that “several sources familiar with the situation” confirmed that an award ceremony was scheduled on Sunday morning. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has reportedly contacted the command of the 117th Brigade and Atriukh.

Semenikhin believes that civilians were the primary target, with Moscow using the award ceremony as a pretext to justify the attack.

Attack Causes Shift in Washington’s Tone

Posting on Twitter, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio directly blamed Russia for the attack, signaling a change in position by the Trump administration. “The United States extends our deepest condolences to the victims of today’s horrifying Russian missile attack on Sumy,” Rubio said, “This is a tragic reminder of why President Trump and his Administration are putting so much time and effort into trying to end this war and achieve durable peace.”

Last week, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink came under fire for not mentioning Russia after the Kryvyi Rih playground attack. In another sign of a shift in tone from Washington, Brink’s response to today’s attack also blamed Russia.

“Today, Palm Sunday, Russia launched ballistic missiles on Sumy…Reports indicate, as in Kryvyi Rih, cluster munitions were used, increasing the devastation and harm to civilians. Our prayers are with the people of Sumy.”

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) wrote that without “a dramatic change soon,” he would move forward with his bill that would impose massive sanctions and tariffs against Russia. “It is obvious to me that the only hope of ending this war is to continue to cripple Russia’s economy and punish those who prop up Putin,” said Graham. Currently, the bill has 55 co-sponsors, giving it guaranteed approval in the upper house of Congress.

Posting on his personal Twitter account, U.S. special envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg wrote, “Today’s Palm Sunday attack by Russian forces on civilian targets in Sumy crosses any line of decency. There are scores of civilians 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.”

Last night, while flying on Air Force One, U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters that peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine are going fine, but he’s running out of patience. “I think Ukraine-Russia might be going OK,” said Trump, “And you’re going to be finding out pretty soon…There’s a point at which you have to either put up or shut up. We’ll see what happens. But I think it’s going fine.”

The attack on Sumy came two days after U.S. special envoy to the Middle East and Russia, Steve Witkoff, met with autocrat Vladimir Putin in Moscow for 4.5 hours. Witkoff’s attempts to broker a Phase 2 ceasefire between Israel and Hamas also failed, with the billionaire turned diplomat admitting that Hamas may have “deceived” him.

World Reacts with Horror

World leaders and diplomats condemned today’s attack, almost universally calling for more pressure to be put on Russia.

Kaja Kallas, the chief diplomat of the European Union, said the attack was a “horrific example of Russia intensifying attacks while Ukraine has accepted an unconditional ceasefire.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen: “This latest escalation is a grim reminder: Russia was and remains the aggressor, in blatant violation of international law. Strong measures are urgently needed 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.”

European Council President and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni: “I strongly condemn this unacceptable violence, which contradicts any real commitment to peace, promoted by President Trump and supported wholeheartedly by Italy, together with Europe and other international partners.”

NATO Press Office: “Horrific scenes from the center of Sumy where Russian ballistic missiles killed dozens and severely injured many more ordinary civilians. Our thoughts are with the Ukrainian people on what is a sacred day for so many.”

French President Emmanuel Macron: “Everyone knows: This war was initiated by Russia alone. And today, it is clear that Russia alone chooses to continue it — with blatant disregard for human lives, international law, and the diplomatic efforts of President Trump.”

German Caretaker Chancellor Olaf Scholz: “Such Russian attacks reveal the truth about Russia’s alleged readiness for peace. Instead of a readiness for peace, we see that Russia is mercilessly continuing its war of aggression against Ukraine. This war must end, and Russia must finally agree to a comprehensive ceasefire.”

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer: “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 Zelenskyy has shown his commitment to peace. Putin must now agree to a full and immediate ceasefire without conditions.”

Moldovan President Maia Sandu: “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. The aggressor must be held accountable. There is no justification for such evil.”

Finnish President Alexander Stubb: “Russia continues its barbaric war of aggression. Today, again, slaughtering innocent civilians in Sumy. Russia shows that it has no respect for international law or humanitarian law. We must end this war. An unconditional ceasefire must begin at once. To make it commit seriously to negotiations, sanctions against Russia need to be further strengthened.”

Foreign Ministry of Slovenia: “Russia continues this war with blatant disregard for international law.”

Slovak President Peter Pellegrini: “I condemn today’s brutal attack on Ukrainian city of Sumy…While talks of peace continue, innocent lives are still being lost. The international community must exert all diplomatic efforts and pressure to end this slaughter, urging Russia to seek peace at the negotiating table, not through missiles that kill innocent people.”

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk: “The Russian version of a ceasefire. Bloody Palm Sunday, Sumy.”

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal: “Let’s be clear. Russia’s goal is erasing Ukraine. Yet another brutal attack against innocent civilians proves it. Our aid to Ukraine cannot be delayed at the most crucial moment. No pressure on Russia means no peace.”

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda: “Another vile Russian war crime – this time in the heart of Sumy. This is a slap in the face to everyone who seeks and desires peace. The civilized world must use force to stop these barbarians who are killing civilians and children.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney: “Today, Russia chose once again to prolong its unjustified war of aggression on Ukraine by attacking innocent civilians in Sumy. Our thoughts are with the families of those killed and wounded in this brutal attack. Ukraine has shown its commitment to peace — and Russia must now agree to an immediate ceasefire.

The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, condemned the attack “in the strongest possible terms.”

“International humanitarian law strictly prohibits attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure,” said Schmale, “Those rules exist to protect human life and dignity — and they must be respected at all times.”

International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and the Geneva Conventions do permit strikes on military targets in civilian areas, but require all possible measures to be taken to minimize civilian casualties, including the type of weapons used. Attack planners must also be able to prove they conducted a proper risk assessment before ordering a strike in a civilian area. However, IHL provides no exceptions for the use of cluster munitions in a civilian area, which is considered a war crime.