Russia bombs Ukraine city on Palm Sunday; dozens killed, cluster munitions used

Why did a Russian missile strike kill civilians in Ukraine’s Sumy?

At least 32 people, including two children, were killed in a Russian ballistic missile strike on the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy on the morning of April 13, 2025. The attack occurred during Palm Sunday celebrations, hitting the city centre and causing extensive civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. Ukraine’s State Emergency Service confirmed the death toll and reported 84 others were injured. Two missiles struck near residential and educational buildings, leading to a humanitarian crisis just as people had gathered to mark an important religious occasion.

The attack sparked international outrage, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urging world leaders to respond forcefully to what he described as an act of terrorism. Local officials, including acting Mayor Artem Kobzar, confirmed that residential areas were targeted, with visuals shared by the Sumy City Council showing burnt vehicles and collapsed buildings. The timing and choice of weaponry raised renewed concerns about the use of cluster munitions, which are widely condemned due to their indiscriminate impact on civilian populations.

What weapon was used and why are cluster munitions controversial?

According to Ukrainian presidential advisor Andriy Yermak, the missiles used in the Sumy attack contained cluster munitions—a type of weapon that disperses multiple submunitions over a wide area. These weapons have long been criticised by humanitarian organisations and banned by more than 110 countries under the Convention on Cluster Munitions. Neither Russia nor Ukraine are signatories to this treaty, though Ukraine has received limited supplies of cluster munitions from the United States for battlefield use under specific conditions.

In this case, the alleged use of cluster warheads in a populated city centre has drawn sharp condemnation. Yermak described the missile as “designed to kill as many civilians as possible,” pointing to the deliberate nature of the strike. Cluster munitions are particularly dangerous because unexploded submunitions often remain a hazard long after a strike, posing ongoing risks to rescue workers, children, and residents.

How has Ukraine responded to the Sumy missile strike?

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the nation and international community in a series of social media posts, describing the attack as a “terrible strike” that targeted “an ordinary city street, ordinary life: houses, educational institutions, cars on the street.” He pointed to the symbolic cruelty of launching such an attack on Palm Sunday, when many Ukrainians were attending church services. Emphasising the timing, he said that “only a scoundrel can act like this,” and stressed that the strike was a continuation of Russia’s ongoing campaign of civilian terror.

Zelenskyy also reiterated his long-standing call for more decisive international action, warning that “talks have never stopped ballistic missiles and air bombs.” His statement called for global unity and described the need for “a tough reaction from the world,” singling out the United States, Europe, and others who seek an end to the war.

Why is Sumy a frequent target in the Russia-Ukraine conflict?

The city of Sumy, located close to Ukraine’s northeastern border with Russia, has been under intermittent bombardment since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. Its proximity to the Russian frontier has made it a strategic and symbolic target. Over the past year, the Sumy region has experienced increased drone attacks, artillery strikes, and missile launches. Ukrainian military analysts suggest that Russia sees Sumy as a staging area for potential offensives or a pressure point to divert Ukrainian resources away from front-line combat zones in Donetsk and Luhansk.

According to The Times and other regional reports, over 67,000 Russian troops have been reportedly stationed near the border, signalling an escalation in Moscow‘s military posture. Intelligence from both NATO and Ukraine suggests that the buildup may be intended to support larger-scale operations or serve as a deterrent as Ukraine continues its appeals for additional Western defence support.

What is the international reaction and what does it mean for future aid?

The international response to the Sumy attack was swift but cautious. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, reiterated their calls for an immediate halt to the use of cluster munitions in civilian areas. Western governments, including the European Union and the United States, expressed condolences and condemned the attack but stopped short of announcing any immediate punitive measures or additional aid packages.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) noted that strikes on civilian areas, particularly with banned or widely restricted weapons, could amount to war crimes under international law. However, the enforcement of such designations remains a challenge in the absence of international consensus or tribunal action.

The Sumy attack could influence future debates in the U.S. Congress and European parliaments regarding military assistance to Ukraine. Some lawmakers have voiced concerns about escalating weapon transfers, especially if Ukraine is also seen using similar munitions. However, others argue that the attack underscores the need for enhanced air defence systems, such as Patriots and IRIS-T, to protect Ukrainian cities from ballistic and cruise missile threats.

How does this attack reflect broader Russian strategy?

Military experts have increasingly characterised Russia’s recent targeting patterns as psychological warfare intended to undermine Ukrainian morale and create internal displacement. Attacks on hospitals, schools, and civilian gatherings—including the January 2024 strike on a Dnipro maternity hospital—have become tragically familiar. These attacks do not appear to offer clear military advantages but rather seem designed to exhaust Ukraine’s emergency response capacities and deepen public trauma.

The use of cluster munitions and ballistic missile strikes in urban settings is also seen as a form of escalation. Russia’s evolving strategy appears aimed at dragging out the war while testing the limits of Western resolve and military aid. While previous Russian missile strikes focused on infrastructure, especially energy systems during the winter of 2022–23, the current wave of attacks is more indiscriminately targeted.

The timing of the Sumy strike—coinciding with Palm Sunday—amplifies its symbolic and psychological impact. It also may serve as a signal to Ukraine’s allies, suggesting that without a significant increase in defence systems, such attacks will continue unchecked.

What are the implications for Ukrainian civilians and rescue services?

In the immediate aftermath of the Sumy missile strike, rescue operations continued throughout the day and into the evening. Ukraine’s State Emergency Service confirmed that dozens of buildings were damaged, with search and recovery efforts focusing on collapsed residential structures and burned-out vehicles. The humanitarian impact has been compounded by the difficulty of evacuating vulnerable populations from an area repeatedly struck by missiles.

Psychological trauma has also been a growing concern among civilian populations. Local healthcare workers, already under strain due to understaffing and resource shortages, now face increased demand for trauma care and mental health services. NGOs operating in Ukraine have called for expanded funding to support internally displaced persons (IDPs) from high-conflict regions like Sumy, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv.

What happens next in the Russia-Ukraine war?

While no immediate escalation has been confirmed in response to the Sumy attack, the event is likely to intensify diplomatic and military discussions among Ukraine’s allies. The demand for additional air defence systems, sanctions enforcement, and accountability mechanisms is expected to grow louder in global forums, including the United Nations and NATO.

The war in Ukraine has now entered its third year, and attacks like the one in Sumy highlight the continuing civilian cost of a conflict that shows no sign of resolution. Despite international support, Ukraine’s ability to defend its cities from aerial assaults remains constrained, particularly against ballistic missiles and drone swarms.

As the world watches the aftermath in Sumy, the pressure mounts on Western governments to act decisively—either through new sanctions on Russian defence supply chains, enhanced military support for Ukraine, or coordinated international legal action.