At least 32 people were killed and 84 people were injured, including 10 children, Ukrainian authorities said after the Russian attack on the Russian Smie centre.
Ukrainian President Volodymia Zelensky said the “terrifying strikes by Russian ballistic missiles” were hit by “normal city streets, normal life.”
At 10:15 local time (08:15 BST), two Iskanders and changing ballistic missiles were attacked, both of which collided with the area around Sumy State University and its Congressional Centre.
Photos and videos of the aftermath show bloody bodies scattered across the street, centering on the effects of missiles. At least two children were killed.
Ukrainian authorities told the BBC that 20 buildings, including four educational institutions, 10 cars, a streetcar, cafes, shops and five apartments, have been damaged.
Zelensky called for a “severe” response from the world, adding that “the lecture has never stopped ballistic missiles or air bombs.”
“Everyone in the US, Europe, the world who wants to end this war and murder, wants to be this kind of fear, drags this war out of it. Peace is impossible without pressure on the invaders,” Zelensky said.
“It’s very important for anyone in the world to stay silent and not stay indifferent,” he added.
According to BBC Ukrainians, the university’s parliamentary centre is often used for children’s classes, with local residents saying the space is a “city-wide education hub” and “very aggressively rented for various courses, clubs and master classes.”
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andri Sibikha also condemned the attacks taking place on Palm Sunday.
“Many civilians have been killed and injured. It is an absolute evil to launch such an attack on a major Christian holiday,” he writes to X.
He added that they “share detailed information about this war crime with all our partners and international organizations,” and for two consecutive months, Russia refused to accept the US proposal for a complete ceasefire that was unconditionally accepted on March 11th.
“Instead, Russia will strengthen that fear,” Sibikha said.
Kaja Karas, the top European Union diplomat, also responded, saying in X, “The residents are gathering just to meet Russian missiles.”
French President Emmanuel Macron said the Smie Strikes highlighted the urgent need to impose a ceasefire on Russia.
The attack comes after US envoy Steve Witkov met Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday in St. Petersburg.
The Kremlin said the meeting lasted more than four hours, focusing on “the aspect of Ukraine’s settlement.” Witkov’s third meeting with Putin this year was described as “productive” by Russian envoy Kiril Dmitriev.
