More than 30 deaths in Russian rocket strike against Sumy

In a severe Russian air strike with ballistic rockets against the city of Sumy in the northeast of Ukraine, more than 30 people were killed. More than 100 civilians were injured. Two children are also among the dead, said President Wolodymyr Selenskyj near Telegram. He expressed his condolences to the relatives. There were 34 deaths, the authorities said. There are also 15 children among the 117 injuries.

« Everyone gets the necessary help, » said Selenskyj. Many people were traveling in the city on Palm Sunday before Easter when the rockets hit. The attack triggered horror internationally. The Ukrainian general staff announced retaliation. « Our answer will be tough, » said the military leadership in Kyiv.

The rockets had worn explosive devices with streumunition, said Selenskyj’s office boss Andrij Jermak. So Russia wanted to meet the highest possible number of civilians. Many people were also injured in the middle of the street, in cars and public transport as well as in houses, said Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko near Telegram. He accused Russia of a targeted attack on civilians. Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiha spoke of a war crime.

The executive Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) said according to a message that attacks showed how the alleged Russian readiness for peace was. « Instead, we see that Russia continues to mercilessly continued its war of aggression against Ukraine. This war has to end and Russia must finally agree to a comprehensive ceasefire. We work together with our European and international partners. »

Authorities: Crisis Stab Cstunated

The authorities of the city of Sumy said that a crisis team had been set up. There was therefore damage to streets, houses, a training facility and several cars. Lifeless bodies on the streets, burning cars and severe devastation were seen in pictures. Rescue workers wore people with their bare hands and on carrying.

Foreign Minister Sybiha spoke of the « absolute evil » on an important Christian holiday in a peaceful Ukrainian city. In communications on platform X, he and Selenskyj called for a determined reaction of the international allies. Sybiha once again criticized that Russia did not agree to a US proposal on March 11 for a ceasefire in Ukraine.

Ukraine demands more help from the West

« Instead, Russia expands its terror, » said Sybiha. He asked the western partners to equip Ukraine with additional air defense capacities and increase the pressure on Moscow. « Strength is the only language you understand and the only way to put an end to terrible terror, » he said.

In addition to the conviction of the Russian attack, western allies, including the EU and NATO, also had condolences and support. The French President Emmanuel Macron wrote at X that Russia did not want to comply with human life and war – regardless of international law or the diplomatic efforts of US President Donald Trump.

Macron wrote strong measures to force Russia to force Russia. The British Prime Minister Keir Strandmer commented similarly.

The special representative Keith Kellogg used by Trump for Ukraine condemned the attack on civilians on the Christian holiday. As a former military commander, he knew that such attacks were wrong. « That’s why President Trump works hard to end the war, » wrote the former general at X.

Sumy is always the goal of attacks. Ukraine has been defending itself against the Russian invasion for more than three years.

Russia confirms the shooting of F-16 fight jet in Ukraine

Already on Saturday, Ukraine also shaked the death of one of the important battle pilots trained by the West. After the F-16 pilot’s death, the Russian military confirmed the shooting of such a fighter plane. The Russian air defense shot down an F-16, the Ministry of Defense said in Moscow without naming details about the place and time.

President Selenskyj announced on Saturday that F-16 captain Pawlo Iwanow had been killed. He posted the 26-year-old postally the title « Held of Ukraine ». Selenskyj did not provide any information about the incident itself.

Among other things, Kyiv uses these fighter jets to defend the Russian attack war. According to the media, the fighter jet above the Sumy area in the northeast of Ukraine is said to have been shot down. Ukraine thus lost the second of the machines valuable to them. The first loss itself was indebted.

Kremlin: Many steps to meet Putin with Trump

Russia meanwhile commented satisfied with the negotiations with the United States. « Basically, everything is going very well, » said Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskow after visiting the US specialist Steve Witkoff to Russian President Vladimir Putin. He also told Russian state television that there would be a meeting of Putin with Trump. After years of destruction of relationships, however, no quick results are to be expected, everything had to be rebuilt. « There are much problems, » he emphasized.

Peskow repeated earlier statements that Putin’s meeting with Trump had to be well prepared. He urged patience and did not name a time frame or a possible place for the meeting.

Witkoff, the US specialist, had spoken to Putin for more than four hours in St. Petersburg on Friday about the Russian attack war against Ukraine. Trump, who wants to end the war, put Moscow under pressure after Witkoff’s arrival. He wrote on the Truth Social platform: « Russia has to move. Too many people die, thousands a week, in a terrible and senseless war. »