Russian missile strike on Sumy kills 35, including 2 children, leaves 120 wounded

​On the evening of April 14, the Sumy Regional Prosecutor's Office reported that a missile strike on the center of Sumy had killed 35 people, including an 11-year-old boy and a 17-year-old teenager.

According to the Sumy Regional Military Administration, as of 11:54 a.m. on Monday, April 14, the attack on central Sumy had claimed the lives of 34 people, including two children, and injured 120 others, 15 of whom were children.

"Currently, 39 victims remain hospitalized, including 9 children. Unfortunately, 11 people are in critical condition, including 3 children," the statement said.

April 14, 15, and 16 were declared Days of Mourning for those killed in the missile strike on Sumy.

Local journalist Alyona Yatsyna from the Kordon.Media publication reported that, according to updated information, 35 people have died, and at least one person is considered missing due to numerous fire outbreaks. Several victims were severely burned, making identification difficult. Over 120 people were injured in total, with 40 still hospitalized, some in critical condition. Yatsyna noted that these numbers are constantly changing, almost hourly.

"This is the historic center of the city of Sumy, the university area—formerly the Ukrainian Academy of Banking, now part of Sumy State University for over 10 years. It's a pedestrian zone, with one road for vehicles where a bus was traveling. People walk here with children and dogs; it's a beautiful place for strolls, the heart of Sumy. All the buildings have historical significance. Since early morning, people have been coming to the site of the tragedy, bringing flowers and children's toys because two of the victims were children. One boy, 17 years old, was his mother’s only child, and she is battling cancer, making the situation even more heartbreaking. The other boy who died was younger. As of this morning, 15 children remain in the hospital," Yatsyna shared.

"Only real pressure on Russia can stop this," said Zelenskyy

"I thank all the services and everyone involved in rescuing people and protecting lives. Russian terror continues every day and every night. Since the beginning of April alone, the Russian army has used nearly 2,800 aerial bombs, over 1,400 attack drones—most of them Shaheds—and around 60 missiles of various types, including ballistic ones," said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

He added, "Only real pressure on Russia can stop this."

"We need significant sanctions targeting the sectors that fund Russia's war machine. Those who brought war must stop and be held accountable—that is true justice. I thank everyone around the world who understands this and supports our defense," the president concluded.

More about enemy attack

At 10:50 a.m., the official wrote, “Today there are many dead as a result of the missile strike... The enemy has struck again at the civilian population.” 

Volodymyr Artyukh, head of the Sumy Military District Administration, said Russian troops fired two ballistic missiles at the center of Sumy while streets were crowded. 

The head of the Sumy region, speaking on the United News telethon, revealed that a trolleybus full of passengers was at the epicenter of one of the missile strikes. People were returning from a church service when the attack hit. Artyukh described it as "the trolleybus of death."

Deadly second strike

The second ballistic missile strike on Sumy was the main cause of the high number of casualties, including both deaths and injuries, according to Serhiy Kryvosheyenko, head of the Sumy City Military Administration.

“The second strike was likely loaded with fragmentation elements, detonating in the air to cause maximum damage to people in the streets,” Kryvosheyenko stated. “Preliminary reports indicate that most civilian deaths resulted from these elements. The explosion occurred about 200 meters from the first strike, in an area with residential buildings, schools, and shops. This suggests the attack was deliberately aimed at civilians and civilian infrastructure,” he added.

Read also: “Not enough words for this evil”: European leaders react to deadly Russian strike on Sumy

Russia targets busy city center

The Russian strike targeted civilians in the heart of the city — people were hit in the middle of the street, in cars, on public transport, and inside their homes.

Ukraine's Internal Affairs Minister Klymenko wrote, “Russia launched ballistic missiles at the city center, right when there were many people on the streets, deliberately targeting civilians on a major church holiday.”

At 6:00 p.m., the number of victims has risen to 34, including two children. A total of 117 people from Sumy have been injured, with 15 of them being children.

Residential and non-residential buildings in Sumy were damaged in the strike, and rescue operations are ongoing. 

Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, also confirmed that the regional Human Rights Protection Center was hit in the attack.

“This is cynicism of the highest level. This is a deliberate destruction of civilians—on a day off, when people are out and least protected,” the official emphasized.

According to Sumy residents on local social media — and as confirmed by photos and videos from the scene — one of the missiles struck the congress center of Sumy State University, where a children’s theater performance was scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m.

What weapons Russia used in the attack

“The missile with cluster munitions is a Russian move to kill as many civilians as possible,” said Andriy Yermak, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine. “The strike on the city of Sumy is a deliberate attack on civilians.”

Chief of Ukrainian Military Intelligence Kyrylo Budanov confirmed that the skander-M (KN-23) ballistic missiles were launched by Russian crews from the 112th and 448th missile brigades, firing from Liski in the Voronezh region and Lezhenki in the Kursk region. 

“Our common goal is to make sure that no war criminal — from those who gave the orders to those who launched the missiles — escapes retribution,” Budanov stressed.

Ukrainian OSINT researchers have already published detailed personal data of the commanders responsible for the strike.

Zelenskyy's response and appeal to international community

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to the Russian ballistic missile attack, condemning it as a strike on civilian life.

“Russian missiles hit an ordinary city street, ordinary life – residential buildings, educational institutions, cars on the street… And that’s on the day when people go to church – Palm Sunday, the feast of the Lord's Entry into Jerusalem,” Zelenskyy wrote. “According to preliminary information, dozens of civilians were killed and wounded. Only filthy scum can act like this – taking the lives of ordinary people. My condolences to the families and loved ones.”

The President emphasized the need for a strong international response — from the United States, Europe, and all those who seek an end to the war and the killings.

“Russia wants exactly this kind of terror and is dragging this war out. Without pressure on Russia, peace is impossible. Talks have never stopped ballistic missiles and aerial bombs. What’s needed is an attitude toward Russia that a terrorist deserves. I thank everyone who stands with Ukraine and helps us defend life,” Zelenskyy emphasized.

He showed footage following the Russian missile strikes. Warning: The following video contains sensitive content. 

• As a result of Russia’s night attack, residential buildings were damaged in Sumy region, and a fire broke out near Kyiv due to falling debris.