Kremlin claims military target hit, 34 civilians killed
The Kremlin has made a statement regarding the recent attack on Sumy. Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesperson, claims that only military targets were hit. However, it is important to remember that this attack resulted in the deaths of 34 civilians due to Russian shelling.
What do you need to know?
- Where and when did the attack occur? On Palm Sunday, the Russian army launched an attack on the center of Sumy, a city located in northeastern Ukraine.
- What were the consequences of the attack? The attack resulted in the deaths of 34 civilians and left 117 people injured.
- What does the Kremlin claim? Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reiterated Russia's narrative, asserting that their targets were solely military facilities.
What were the targets of the Russian attack?
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov discussed the tragic shelling of Sumy on Monday.
Peskov argues that the Russian military targets only military facilities. Yet, it's crucial to note the loss of 34 civilian lives in the attack.
What does the Russian defense ministry say?
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that the aim of the attack was a gathering of Ukrainian commanders in Sumy. The assault involved the use of two Iskander missiles.
The mayor of Konotop in the Sumy region blamed the head of the Sumy Regional Military Administration for organizing a ceremony in Sumy to honor soldiers of the 117th Territorial Defense Brigade. He alleges that they, not civilians, were the intended targets of the Russian missiles.
According to him, the missiles only harmed civilians. None of the military personnel were injured as the ceremony was held in a shelter.
Attack on Sumy
President Volodymyr Zelensky reported on the tragic missile assault on Sumy.
"Enemy missiles hit an ordinary city street, ordinary life: houses, educational institutions, cars on the street … And this on a day when people go to church: Palm Sunday, the feast of the Lord’s entry into Jerusalem," President Zelensky wrote on the X platform.
"Such actions can only be described as vile. They are taking the lives of ordinary people. My condolences to the families and loved ones. The rescue operation continues, and all necessary services are working on-site," noted the President of Ukraine.
NATO spokeswoman Allison Hart also responded to the attack. "Horrific scenes from the center of Sumy where Russian ballistic missiles killed dozens and severely injured many more ordinary civilians. Our thoughts are with the Ukrainian people on what is a sacred day for so many," she wrote on portal X.
