Kyiv, Apr. 14: A Russian missile strike killed at least 30 people and injured 99 others, including seven children, in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy on Sunday morning, officials said. The deadly assault occurred around 10:15 am local time, as residents gathered in the city center to celebrate Palm Sunday.

According to Ukrainian authorities, two ballistic missiles hit the heart of the city, causing widespread devastation. Videos shared on official channels depicted scenes of chaos, with debris strewn across the streets and smoke rising from damaged buildings. Bodies were seen lying on the ground amid the rubble.

“On this bright Palm Sunday, our community has suffered a terrible tragedy,” said Acting Mayor Artem Kobzar in a statement. Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office confirmed the death toll and said an investigation was underway.

President Ukrainian, Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack, calling the perpetrators “filthy scum” and emphasizing the urgent need for international action. “According to preliminary information, dozens of civilians were killed and wounded. Only filthy scum can act like this — taking the lives of ordinary people,” he said. “Talks have never stopped ballistic missiles and aerial bombs. What’s needed is an attitude toward Russia that a terrorist deserves.”

The missile strike came just one day after Russian and Ukrainian foreign ministers clashed over allegations of violating a US-brokered agreement aimed at pausing attacks on critical energy infrastructure. At the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, both sides accused the other of continued aggression despite the tentative ceasefire.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed that Ukraine had carried out daily attacks, saying Moscow would soon provide evidence to international bodies. In response, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accused Russia of launching nearly 70 missiles, over 2,200 exploding drones, and 6,000 guided aerial bombs since the agreement was reached — mostly targeting civilians.

Sunday’s strike adds to a growing list of deadly assaults in Ukraine, as Russia intensifies its military campaign well into the third year of war. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, thousands of civilians have been killed, millions displaced, and cities across Ukraine repeatedly targeted by missiles, drones, and artillery.

The Sumy attack marks one of the deadliest strikes on civilians in recent months and underscores the fragile state of ceasefire negotiations. As rescue efforts continued into the evening, Ukrainian officials reiterated their call for increased global pressure on Moscow.-Agencies