A Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Sumy, resulting in the deaths of 34 people, including two children, and injuring 117 others, has been firmly condemned by Kyiv’s Western allies. The attack occurred when two ballistic missiles struck the city center on Sunday morning, causing explosions near the state university and congress center, leaving bloodied bodies scattered in the streets.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the attack as “horrifying” while Germany’s incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz accused Russia of committing a war crime. There was no immediate comment from Russia regarding the attack, whose forces are reportedly preparing for a major assault.
As the US, Ukraine’s strongest military ally, pursues negotiations for an end to the four-year-old war, Ukraine’s leader Volodymyr Zelensky has invited US President Donald Trump to visit Ukraine and witness the devastation caused by Russia’s invasion. Responding to the attack, Rubio expressed condolences and emphasized the importance of ending the conflict. Trump’s special adviser to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, emphasized that the attack crossed “any line of decency”.
German Chancellor-in-waiting Merz stated that the attack constituted a serious war crime, while existing Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed disappointment with Russia’s actions. French President Emmanuel Macron accused Russia of disregarding human lives, international law, and diplomatic efforts. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the attack as “barbaric” and called for stronger measures to enforce a ceasefire.
The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern over the attack, emphasizing the need to protect civilians and ensure an end to attacks prohibited under international humanitarian law. Sunday’s missile strike is the deadliest attack on civilians in Ukraine this year.
It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of individuals, mostly soldiers, have been killed or injured since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24th, 2022. The conflict dates back to 2014 when Ukraine’s pro-Russian president was overthrown, leading to Russia’s annexation of Crimea and ongoing fighting in eastern Ukraine.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0r5vlwj4dqo
