Putin defends missile strike on Sumy amid rising tensions
Vladimir Putin addressed the Russian attack on Sumy, which occurred on April 13, resulting in 36 deaths and 125 injuries.
What do you need to know?
- The attack on Sumy took place on April 13, 2025, when Russian forces launched two "Iskander-M" ballistic missiles into the city center, causing significant destruction and fires.
- The attack resulted in 36 deaths, including 2 children, and injured 125 people, including 18 children and 14 police officers. It occurred during a major Christian holiday, Palm Sunday.
- Vladimir Putin claims the target was a "military facility" where an "award ceremony for those responsible for crimes in the Kursk region" was allegedly held.
Vladimir Putin stated that the strike on Sumy was a justified military action, accusing Ukrainian military personnel of crimes in the Kursk region.
"For example, the known attack by our armed forces on the congress center, probably of Sumy University. Is it a civilian object or not? Civilian. However, an award ceremony was taking place for those who committed crimes in the Kursk region, both units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and nationalists. And it is these people we consider criminals, and they should receive the punishment they deserve," said the Russian president, as quoted by the Kremlin news agency TASS.
What were the consequences of the attack on Sumy?
The attack on Sumy claimed 36 lives, including 2 children, and injured 125 people, including 18 children and 14 police officers. The "Iskander-M" ballistic missiles caused extensive damage to the city center and ignited fires. The attack, occurring on Palm Sunday, further shocked the international community.
What actions did the Ukrainian armed forces take?
The Ukrainian army identified the locations from which the attack on Sumy was launched. In response, the Ukrainian armed forces targeted the barracks of the 112th Russian Guards Rocket Brigade in Shuya, in the Ivanovo region, resulting in a fire. Additionally, the Ukrainian general staff reported the destruction of the staging area of the 448th Russian Rocket Brigade in the Kursk region, which was also involved in the attack on Sumy.
Resignation after the attack on Sumy
Following the attack, reports surfaced in Ukrainian media that an award ceremony for soldiers of the 117th Independent Territorial Defense Brigade was to take place in one of the administrative buildings in the center of Sumy on Sunday.
As a result of the attack, Volodymyr Artiukh resigned from his position as head of the Sumy regional authorities.
