UPDATE - Ukraine says over 20 killed due to Russian missile strike on Sumy city

UPDATES WITH LATEST STATEMENTS ON RUSSIAN MISSILE ATTACK ON SUMY; EDITS

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Ukraine said on Sunday that over 20 people were killed due to a Russian missile strike on the northeastern city of Sumy.

“On this bright day of Palm Sunday, our community suffered a terrible tragedy. The enemy launched a missile strike on civilians. Unfortunately, more than 20 deaths are already known,” Acting Sumy Mayor Artem Kobzar initially said on Telegram.

Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko later reported that, as of 12.20 pm local time (0920GMT), the death toll stood at 21, while 83 others were injured, including seven children.

Sumy Governor Volodymyr Artyukh claimed separately on Telegram that the center of Sumy was struck with two ballistic missiles.

In a later statement on X, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a rescue operation is underway at the scene of the attack, noting all necessary services are working.

“The world must respond firmly. The United States, Europe, everyone in the world who wants this war and these killings to end,” Zelenskyy said, reiterating Kyiv’s claims that Moscow is “dragging this war out.”

“Without pressure on Russia, peace is impossible. Talks have never stopped ballistic missiles and aerial bombs,” he added.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on X that Russia refused to accept the US proposal for a full ceasefire for the second month in a row, reminding that Kyiv unconditionally accepted the proposal on March 11.

"Instead, Russia ramps up its terror. We urge partners to provide Ukraine with additional air defense capabilities and increase pressure on Moscow," Sybiha said, arguing strength to be the only language Moscow can understand.

Russian authorities have not immediately commented on the attack or the claims.