Trump says Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities are “terrible” as Sumi’s death volume rises
The death toll on the Russian missile strike against the Ukrainian city of Sumy on Sunday has reached 34.
Local officials said two ballistic missiles hit the heart of the city when people gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday around 10:30 a.m. local time.
Images at the scene show black body bag lines on the roadside, while more bodies between the debris are wrapped around the foil blanket. Another 117 people were injured, including 15 children.
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the attack, accusing Russia of “blatantly ignoring human life, international law and diplomatic efforts.”
Asked about the attack, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested on Sunday night that the missile strike could be a “missile.”
“I think it’s awful, and I’m told them they made a mistake, but I think it’s a terrible thing. I think the whole war is a terrible thing,” he told Air Force One reporter when he returned to Washington. He did not clarify whether he said the attack was unintentional.
US President Donald Trump talks with Air Force One reporter (via AP’s pool)
French President Emmanuel Macron said the strike undermined peace talks between the two sides led by Washington.
“Everyone knows: this war was initiated by Russia alone, and it is clear today that Russia alone chose to continue to act – blatantly ignoring human life, international law and President Trump’s diplomatic efforts.”
The video also shows firefighters extinguishing from damaged buildings in shells that struggle to extinguish cars burning in rubble.
The attack on Sumy comes after a deadly missile strike on Mr Zelensky’s hometown, Kryvyi Rih, on April 4, killing about 20 people, including nine children, in just one week.
The strike is for the Sumy Center on Sunday Morning (AP)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed rescue work was underway, saying “dozens” were killed in a twin missile attack.
“Does of civilians were killed and injured according to preliminary information,” he said.
“Only dirty scum can do this – taking the lives of ordinary people.”
He said in a statement on social media that the first strike belonged to the city university building, while the second strike exploded.
Mr Zelensky called for a global response to the attack, adding: “The negotiations have never stopped ballistic missiles and air bombs. What is needed is the attitude towards Russia that terrorists deserve.”
City Center kills at least 34 civilians in Ukrainian Sumi (AP) after Russian missile attack
Elsewhere in Ukraine, a 62-year-old woman was bombed in the city of Hessen, Regional Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said.
Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov said a Russian strike attack on kindergartens, with windows broken and damaged the facade of the building. No casualties.
Less than a day, top diplomats in Russia and Ukraine alleged to stop strikes on energy infrastructure in violation of a tentative U.S. broker agreement, highlighting the challenge of negotiating the end of the three-year war.
Foreign ministers from both countries spoke at a separate event at the annual Antitala Diplomatic Forum, meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on a peace prospect.
“The Ukrainians attacked us from the very beginning, with maybe two or three exceptions,” said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
His Ukrainian rival Andrii Sybiha argued fiercely, saying that on Saturday, Russia launched “nearly 70 missiles, more than 2,200 (exploded) drones, and more than 6,000 bombs in Ukraine’s aviation, mostly on civilians, since agreeing to limit the Strikes.
