• Russian missile strike in Sumy kills 34, including children, and injures over 100.
• Ukraine's President Zelenskyy demands robust international response.
• Global leaders condemn the attack, labeling it a war crime.
• Russia claims the strike targeted military personnel amid peace negotiations.
• The incident raises doubts about the viability of a ceasefire in Ukraine.

On Sunday, April 13, a deadly Russian missile strike in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy resulted in at least 34 deaths, including two children, and over 117 injuries, making it one of the most devastating attacks in Ukraine this year, according to Ukrainian authorities. The strikes occurred during a busy morning as many residents attended church services for Palm Sunday, with chaotic scenes emerging shortly after the explosions, showing bodies strewn on the streets near damaged buildings and vehicles, reports Channel News Asia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack as an inhumane act, demanding a strong international response. He stated, "Only scoundrels can act like this, taking the lives of ordinary people," while also highlighting that such violence on a significant religious day emphasizes the brutality of the conflict, according to BBC.

The strike has been condemned by various international leaders, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who called it a "horrifying" event and a reminder of the importance of ceasing hostilities. German Chancellor-designate Friedrich Merz characterized the attack as a "serious war crime," while French President Emmanuel Macron criticized it as a blatant disregard for human life and international law, citing it as evidence that Russia has no real interest in a truce, as noted in India Times.

Amid these developments, Russia's defense ministry claimed the strike targeted a meeting of Ukrainian military personnel, accusing Kyiv of placing military targets in civilian areas, a statement dismissed by Ukrainian officials who reported civilian casualties and damages to residential areas. President Vladimir Putin's administration maintains that their operations target military objectives, contradicting the immense civilian toll reported, as highlighted by The New York Times.

As concerns grow regarding the ongoing conflict and prospects for peace, President Trump has described the attack as a "mistake" while urging for a ceasefire to address the escalating violence. His remarks come amid fragile negotiations aimed at ending the war that has persisted for over three years, according to Le Monde.

The situation in Sumy has heightened fears of renewed military offensives by Russia, further complicating any potential peace agreements. Local leaders emphasize the need for international pressure on Russia, claiming that only strict sanctions can halt the violence and protect civilians in Ukraine, as reported by Reuters.