Dozens of civilians were killed on Sunday by two Russian missiles in the Ukrainian city of Sumy. In Europe, the attack is being viewed as a war crime. Moscow, in turn, is justifying itself by saying that the target of the attack was Ukrainian officers. The devastating strike on Sumy killed more than 30 people, including two children. At least 15 children are among the injured, who number more than 100.
"Putin wants to continue destroying Ukraine"
European politicians are horrified by Russia's actions. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budris explained that the Russian attack used cluster munitions against civilians, which he said was a clear war crime.
Following the attack, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said that the attack showed "Russia's complete disregard for the peace process, but also that Russia has no respect for human life in any way." Future German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also spoke of a serious war crime.
According to Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, this and other recent attacks show that Russian President Vladimir Putin is mocking the US's goodwill to end the war in Ukraine. He hopes that US President Donald Trump and his administration will realize this. "Ukraine agreed to a ceasefire more than a month ago without setting any conditions. The heinous attacks in Krivoy Rog and Sumy are Russia's mocking response," Sikorski said ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot also believes that Putin has no intention of agreeing to a ceasefire. "Therefore, he must be forced to do so, and that is why I call on the European Union to impose the strictest sanctions on Russia in order to weaken its economy and prevent it from continuing the war."
The current German Foreign Minister, Analene Berbock, has also been sharply critical of Russia. "The appalling attack clearly shows that the Russian president wants to continue destroying Ukraine," Berbock said, adding: "The strengthened defense of Ukraine is a policy of peace."
The attack has also caused outrage outside Europe. US President Donald Trump spoke of a "terrible thing", and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his "deep shock".
Russia: "Our military only attacks military targets"
So far, Russia has ignored international reactions. The Defense Ministry in Moscow has only stated that the attack was directed against a meeting of Ukrainian officers and accused the Ukrainian leadership of abusing the civilian population, using them as "human shields". "The Kiev regime continues to use the Ukrainian population as a shield, placing military facilities or events with the participation of soldiers in the center of a densely populated city." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov added to journalists: "Our military only attacks military and military-related targets".
According to Ukrainian authorities, the attack affected civilian infrastructure: cafes, supermarkets, apartment buildings. Trolleybus passengers were also among the victims of the attack.
The first missile hit a university building, and the second "practically exploded above the street," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said. On the day of the attack, the streets in the city center were full of people for Palm Sunday.