Father with his child killed by Russian artillery fire in Bilopillia, Sumy region

This is reported by the police of the Sumy region.

“Today, Senior Police Lieutenant Roman Babenko, Commissioner of the Criminal Police Sector of Police Department No. 1 (Bilopillia) in the Sumy District Police Department, lost his life along with his 4-year-old son in another attack by the Russian military. He was 38 years old, and his child was only 4 years old,” according to law enforcement officers.

The Sumy regional military administration reported that this incident is yet another example of the enemy's actions challenging the Sumy region. The report stated that the Russian terrorists are ruthlessly using their weapons against innocent people, showing a complete disregard for human life.

The administration further emphasized that this act once again confirms the enemy's criminal intentions to harm and destroy our people. They expressed their determination to ensure that such acts do not go unpunished and promised that there will be consequences. They vowed to respond and seek justice for every Ukrainian life lost.

Mayor Yuriy Zarko shared details of the incident, mentioning that it occurred around 4:20 p.m. and caused powerful explosions in the city center.

“The father and son were passing by when a shell landed just three meters away from them. They managed to run for cover, but the father lost his life on the spot, and the child couldn't be taken to the hospital in time and passed away in his father's arms,” he said. 

Preliminary information suggests that the attack took place near a local dormitory, a cinema, and a residential building.

Throughout the day, there were a total of 12 shelling incidents targeting the border areas. Six communities came under fire. These attacks caused significant destruction in the affected areas.