World leaders condemned a Russian missile strike on Ukraine on Sunday, April 14, 2025, which was one of the deadliest attacks in months. U.S. President Donald Trump described the incident as a “horrible thing” and a “mistake.” The attack involved two ballistic missiles that struck the northeastern city of Sumy, near the Russian border, resulting in at least 34 fatalities and over 100 injuries, according to Ukrainian authorities.
The missile strike followed a visit by U.S. presidential envoy Steve Witkoff to Russia, where he met President Vladimir Putin to discuss efforts to end the ongoing war, which has lasted more than three years. Trump stated on Air Force One, “I think it was terrible. And I was told they made a mistake… the whole war is a horrible thing.” He refrained from elaborating on who made the mistake.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio labeled the attack “horrifying,” emphasizing the effort of Trump’s administration to achieve durable peace. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Trump to visit Ukraine to witness the destruction caused by the invasion. He remarked, “Only completely deranged scum can do something like this,” stressing the brutal timing of the attack on Palm Sunday, a significant Christian holiday.
Emergency services reported that the missiles claimed the lives of 34 individuals, including two children, and left 117 others wounded, with 15 of them being children. The chaos in Sumy included people fleeing from burning vehicles and rescuers sifting through the rubble of damaged buildings.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reacted to the strike by expressing that he was “deeply alarmed and shocked.” He highlighted the ongoing pattern of attacks on Ukrainian cities and reiterated the need for a ceasefire. Guterres emphasized that attacks against civilians violate international law.
Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s GUR military intelligence, indicated that Russia employed two Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles in the strike on Sumy. Eyewitness accounts described the devastation, with reports of numerous civilian casualties.
This strike was the second major attack on civilians within the month, following a previous incident in Zelensky’s hometown of Kryvi Rig, where 18 people, including nine children, lost their lives. Trump is advocating for a swift end to the conflict, while the U.S. continues to engage in talks with Russia amid ongoing assaults on Ukraine.
World leaders reacted strongly to the attack, with France’s President Emmanuel Macron criticizing Russia for its blatant disregard for human life and diplomatic efforts. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his horror, while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni labeled the strike as “cowardly.” German officials characterized it as a serious and intentional war crime.
In the broader context, Sumy has experienced heightened tensions, with Russian forces intensifying their efforts to secure the area since many Ukrainian troops were pushed back from the Kursk region. As the situation remains volatile, Kyiv anticipates further offensives from Moscow, which launched its invasion partly through the Sumy region.
