As families in Ukraine gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday—a day that’s meant to bring peace and reflection—tragedy struck in the most unimaginable way.
A pair of Russian ballistic missiles hit the heart of the northern city of Sumy, unleashing chaos and devastation that left at least 34 people dead and more than 100 others injured, including children.
The horrifying attack took place just after 10 a.m. local time, right as locals were heading to church.
It’s the kind of moment that reminds the world how fragile peace can be—and how quickly terror can replace it.
Germany’s Chancellor-in-Waiting Speaks Out
Germany’s incoming chancellor, Friedrich Merz, didn’t mince words when he responded to the carnage. Calling it a “serious war crime,” Merz condemned Russia’s actions in a televised interview with German broadcaster ARD.
“This was a cold, calculated strike,” he said, explaining that emergency workers had already begun tending to victims of the first missile when the second one hit.
“This is what Putin does to those who speak of ceasefire with him.
He sees our willingness to talk not as a sign of peace but as weakness.”
Merz, who is expected to lead Germany’s next coalition government, made it clear that diplomatic patience is wearing thin.
Horrific Scenes Unfold in the Streets of Sumy
Eyewitness videos from Sumy paint a devastating picture.
Bodies lay motionless in the streets. Cars and buses were engulfed in flames.
A mother was seen holding her daughter close after the child was hit by shrapnel.
Despite the tragedy, there were no military targets in sight—just civilians, worshippers, and families going about their day.
One of the missiles even hit a university building right beside a church.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the act as one of pure evil.
“Only scoundrels can do this,” he said. “And on Palm Sunday, a day of faith and unity. Russia wants terror.
They’re stretching this war out deliberately. Peace is impossible without pressure on the aggressor.”
A Global Outcry Against Russia’s Escalation
It wasn’t just Ukraine and Germany sounding the alarm. Leaders around the world joined in condemning the missile strike.
UK opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer said he was “appalled,” adding that Russia’s attack on civilians showed total disregard for human life.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk didn’t hold back either, bitterly remarking, “The Russian version of a ceasefire. Bloody Palm Sunday.”
French President Emmanuel Macron echoed these sentiments, declaring that “Russia alone continues this war with complete disregard for diplomacy, human lives, or international law.
Strong measures are needed to enforce a ceasefire.”
Pressure Mounts on Russia After Peace Talks Go Nowhere
The timing of the attack is also raising eyebrows. Just two days prior, Vladimir Putin had met with U.S. peace envoy Steve Witkoff in St. Petersburg.
Donald Trump, who sent Witkoff as a representative, later said the negotiations were “going fine.”
But Sunday’s events paint a very different picture.
Since Ukraine first proposed a ceasefire over a month ago, Russia has shown no signs of slowing down.
Instead, Moscow has continued launching aerial strikes on cities and critical infrastructure, claiming more civilian lives with each attack.
Putin has made repeated excuses, insisting on conditions that would keep peace out of reach.
Children Among the Victims in a Tragic Turning Point
According to local reports, at least two children were killed in the blast, and 11 others were injured.
Most of the victims had simply been enjoying the holiday.
Some were outside churches, while others were near public spaces when the missiles struck.
Andriy Yermak, President Zelensky’s chief of staff, suggested the strike had a chilling motive: to kill as many civilians as possible.
“This wasn’t about military strategy,” he said. “It was about inflicting fear, pain, and maximum destruction.”
A Grim Reminder of a War Still Raging
More than two years since Russia first invaded Ukraine, the war shows no signs of easing up.
Russian forces currently occupy about 20 percent of Ukraine’s territory in the east and south and are slowly advancing.
The latest missile strike is yet another chapter in a war that has already cost thousands of lives and uprooted millions.
For the people of Ukraine, it’s a heartbreaking reminder that even on holy days, they are not safe from the horrors of war.
And for world leaders, it’s a signal that diplomacy alone may no longer be enough.