What should have been a peaceful Palm Sunday morning in the Ukrainian city of Sumy quickly turned into horror.
As families made their way to church to mark one of Christianity’s holiest days, Russian missiles rained down without warning, leaving a devastating trail of destruction.
By the time the dust settled, at least 34 people had lost their lives, and more than 100 were injured, including children.
The strikes came in two waves—one hitting civilians directly and the second targeting the emergency crews who had rushed in to help.
Germany’s Future Chancellor Speaks Out
Reacting to the heartbreaking scenes, Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz didn’t hold back.
Speaking to German broadcaster ARD, he condemned the attack in no uncertain terms, calling it a “serious war crime” and a “perfidious act.”
He pointed out that the second strike deliberately targeted first responders, saying it was a chilling sign of Russia’s calculated cruelty.
“This is Putin’s answer to those who speak of peace,” Merz warned, adding that attempts at diplomacy are too often seen by Russia as signs of weakness, not goodwill.
“Only Scoundrels Can Do This” – Zelensky’s Reaction
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also gave an emotional statement, declaring, “Only scoundrels can act like this.”
He reminded the world that the victims were just regular people, out on the streets, celebrating a day of faith and unity.
Zelensky has been urging Ukraine’s allies to ramp up the pressure on Russia and support a ceasefire that will finally end the violence. “Russia wants terror, not peace,” he stated.
“Without international pressure, this war will never end.”
Outrage Echoes Across the Globe
The global response was swift. British Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called the attacks “horrific” and praised Zelensky’s ongoing push for peace.
“Putin must agree to a full and unconditional ceasefire,” Starmer urged.
French President Emmanuel Macron also weighed in, saying Russia’s actions showed a “blatant disregard for human lives” and a complete dismissal of both international law and diplomacy.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the attack as “Russia’s version of a ceasefire,” sarcastically dubbing it a “Bloody Palm Sunday.”
Did Russia Ever Intend to Cease Fire?
What makes the timing of the strike especially jarring is that it came just two days after Russian President Vladimir Putin met with a US peace envoy in St. Petersburg to discuss a possible truce.
Despite those talks, Russia’s ongoing aerial assault paints a bleak picture.
Since Ukraine offered a 30-day ceasefire over a month ago, Russian forces have continued to bomb civilian areas and damage vital infrastructure, making peace feel further away than ever.
Children Among the Victims
Local reports confirmed that at least two children were among those killed, and 11 others were injured in the blasts.
One missile hit a university building adjacent to a church, where many had gathered for Palm Sunday prayers.
The scenes that followed were gut-wrenching—bodies lying in the streets, buses engulfed in flames, and parents cradling their wounded children as emergency crews tried to bring order to chaos.
Russia’s Brutal Pattern Continues
According to Andriy Yermak, Zelensky’s chief of staff, the motive behind the attack couldn’t be clearer.
“They just wanted to kill as many civilians as possible,” he said plainly.
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began back in February 2022, and since then, it has seized around 20% of the country’s territory, mainly in the east and south.
Their latest military push in the east shows no signs of slowing down, despite international condemnation.
Pressure Builds as Patience Wears Thin
Even within the United States, there are signs of growing frustration.
Keith Kellogg, an envoy for Donald Trump, said the attack “crosses any line of decency” and criticized Russia’s continued use of cluster munitions, known for maximizing civilian casualties.
The U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink, also spoke out forcefully, even as her remarks risked clashing with Trump’s historically soft stance on Russia.
Is There Still Hope for Diplomacy?
While some leaders insist that negotiations are still ongoing, the latest violence makes that path look more fragile than ever.
Merz warned that Russia is using the guise of peace talks to buy time, all while continuing to escalate the war on the ground.
“Talks have never stopped missiles,” Zelensky said bluntly.
And after what happened in Sumy, it’s hard to argue with him.
The World Watches as Ukraine Bleeds
This Palm Sunday should have been a celebration of peace, faith, and community.
Instead, it became yet another entry in the growing list of tragedies endured by Ukraine.
As the war grinds on, leaders around the world are being forced to ask a difficult question: What will it take for Russia to stop?
Because right now, with missiles falling and children dying, diplomacy alone doesn’t seem to be enough.