Russian Missile Strike in Sumy Injures 88 Amid Peace Talks

A Russian missile strike on March 24 hit Sumy, injuring 88 civilians and damaging several buildings, despite ongoing peace talks with the US in Saudi Arabia. The attack is under investigation as a potential war crime, with Ukrainian officials emphasizing the need for international pressure on Russia to cease hostilities.

On March 24, a Russian missile strike targeted a residential area in Sumy, resulting in injuries to 88 individuals, including 17 children, as reported by the Sumy City Council. Notably, this attack coincided with ongoing peace talks in Saudi Arabia between Russia and the US and followed an agreement by Vladimir Putin for a ceasefire on energy infrastructure strikes. Despite this, civilian areas remain under threat from Russian military actions.

The missile strike significantly damaged multiple structures, including a school and several apartment buildings. Volodymyr Artiukh, the head of the Sumy Regional Military Administration, indicated that the injured children were situated in a shelter during the incident. The local infrastructure was severely impacted, with eight buildings losing gas supply, 18 without hot water and heating, and six without cold water. Crews from power companies are assessing the ongoing situation.

Law enforcement and prosecutors are documenting the destruction from the missile attack as a potential war crime led by the Security Service of Ukraine. Witness accounts reported injuries primarily due to flying glass fragments, highlighting the strike’s impact on a densely populated area that included schools and healthcare facilities.

Residents expressed their distress, describing the chaos following the explosion. One witness recounted, “I didn’t understand anything, just a loud noise, an explosion. I ended up in a corner on the floor – everything hurt so much. The window was shattered. Balconies, all the doors – everything flew out. Nothing was left.” Another victim shared the dire situation of her family, with her son missing as he attempted to rescue his grandmother from the wreckage.

The Center for Countering Disinformation stated that Russian propaganda falsely claims the strike targeted a Ukrainian military facility, aiming to justify civilian casualties. This disinformation seeks to shift the responsibility for the attack away from Russian forces. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal condemned Russia’s actions, stating, “Ukraine seeks peace, while Russia once again shows its desire to continue terror. The international community must intensify pressure on Russia to stop the aggression, ensure justice, and protect the lives of Ukrainians.”

The missile strike in Sumy has severely impacted civilians, injuring numerous residents, including children, and damaging essential infrastructure. Despite ongoing peace talks, Russia continues military aggressions, rumored to be justified by spreading false narratives. Prime Minister Shmyhal’s calls for international support reflect the urgent need for global intervention to protect Ukrainian lives and condemn such acts of violence.

Original Source: euromaidanpress.com