Russia’s Defense Ministry on Monday confirmed it launched a missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy, claiming it killed “more than 60 Ukrainian servicemen” during a meeting of military commanders. The statement came after a day of silence and amid accusations that civilians were targeted in one of the deadliest attacks on Ukraine in over a year.
Ukrainian authorities reported that the Sunday morning strike killed 34 people, including two children, and injured at least 117 others. The missile hit the city center, sparking widespread outrage and drawing international condemnation.
Among the critics was U.S. President Donald Trump, who called the attack a “horrible thing” and suggested Russia had “made a mistake.”
Russia’s Defense Ministry said it launched two Iskander-M ballistic missiles at what it described as a command staff meeting. It claimed the location was used for military purposes and blamed Ukraine for holding the gathering in a densely populated area, accusing Kyiv of using civilians as “human shields.”
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reiterated the claim, stating, “Our army hits only military and military-related targets,” and denied that civilians or residential infrastructure were deliberately struck.
Peskov also emphasized that only statements from the Defense Ministry should be considered official, referencing Russian laws that criminalize reporting on the war using non-government sources.
While acknowledging civilian casualties, the Russian military maintained Ukraine was at fault for holding military activities in urban areas.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strike, which occurred on Palm Sunday, a significant Christian holiday. In his nightly address, he invited Trump to visit Ukraine and witness the devastation for himself.
“Only completely deranged scum can do something like this,” Zelensky said.
