CNN
—
Russian missiles hit the Ukrainian north-eastern city of Sumy as people gathered for Sunday church services, killing at least 21 people, local officials said.
“Many people were killed today as a result of the missile strike,” said Artem Kobzar, acting mayor of Sumy, confirming the death toll.
The strikes hit the city center on Palm Sunday as residents were attending church services on one of the busiest church-going days of the year, added Svyrydenko.
Two ballistic missiles were fired by Russia into the city center, said Volodymyr Artyukh, head of the military administration in the region. “At that time, a lot of people were on the street,” he said.
“The enemy was hoping to inflict the greatest damage on people in the city of Sumy.”
Unverified photos and video from the scene show bodies lying on the street and rescue efforts underway. Footage posted to Telegram shows the moment strikes hit the city, registering a loud noise and a large cloud of black smoke billowing into the air.
Russia has increased air attacks and missile strikes on the Sumy region in recent weeks as it has pushed Ukrainian forces out of much of the adjoining Russian territory of Kursk. Its forces have also occupied a few small settlements just inside Sumy region.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
