Importance Score: 85 / 100 🟢
Trump Claims Russia ‘Made a Mistake’ in Deadly Sumy Missile Strike
Former US President Donald Trump asserted that Russia committed an “error” in the deadly missile attack on Sumy, a Ukrainian city, which resulted in numerous fatalities and over a hundred injuries. The Russian missile strike on Sumy, Ukraine, drew international condemnation and heightened concerns regarding the ongoing conflict.
Trump’s Reaction to Sumy Attack
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route back to Washington, Trump described the incident as “terrible.” He stated, “I think it was terrible. And I was told they made a mistake. But I think it’s a horrible thing. I think the whole war is a horrible thing.” When pressed to clarify his use of the word “mistake,” Trump vaguely responded, “they made a mistake… you’re gonna ask them,” without specifying who he was referring to or what constituted the supposed error.
Details of the Devastating Missile Strike
On Sunday, Russia launched a brutal double Iskander-M missile strike against Ukraine, hitting a trolleybus in Sumy. The assault resulted in the deaths of at least 34 individuals, including two children, and left 117 wounded, among them 15 children. Eyewitness accounts and videos depicted scenes of carnage, with casualties, many covered in blood, scattered across city center streets following two powerful explosions that ignited fireballs in busy civilian zones.
International Condemnation and Calls for Action
President Trump’s National Security Council (NSC) issued a statement earlier on Sunday, labeling the Russian strike as “a clear and stark reminder” of the critical importance of Trump’s efforts to “try and end this terrible war.” While the White House and Trump himself did not explicitly name Moscow as responsible for the attack initially, Secretary of State Marco Rubio conveyed condolences to the “victims of today’s horrifying Russian missile attack on Sumy.”
Zelensky’s Plea and Invitation to Trump
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced the attack unequivocally, stating, “Only completely deranged scum can do something like this.” In a US television interview aired recently, Zelensky implored President Trump to visit Ukraine to gain a firsthand understanding of the devastation caused by Russia‘s invasion. He urged Trump to witness the impact on “people, civilians, warriors, hospitals, churches, children destroyed or dead” before making any decisions or engaging in negotiations.
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Zelensky’s Emotional Response and Call for Global Reaction
Speaking to CBS News, Zelensky expressed “100 percent” hatred for Russian President Vladimir Putin due to the invasion. He reinforced his invitation for Trump to visit and witness the war’s destruction. Following the broadcast, Trump responded on Truth Social, asserting that the war “would never have happened if the 2020 Election had not been RIGGED.”
Escalation of Conflict and Civilian Impact
The Sumy missile strike occurred shortly after US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff’s trip to Russia to meet with President Vladimir Putin, promoting Trump’s peace initiatives. Trump had previously indicated that these peace efforts “might be going OK.” Zelensky, in his Sunday evening address, emphasized the attack’s occurrence on Palm Sunday, a significant Christian holiday.
Graphic Details and Extent of Damage
Reports indicated the horrific nature of the attack, with images, deemed too graphic for publication by some outlets, showing a burning trolleybus with victims inside. Among the casualties was at least one child, underscoring the indiscriminate nature of the strike on a city observing Palm Sunday. Cars were also reported ablaze with occupants trapped. The Congress Centre at Sumy University was among the structures hit, marking it as one of the most severe attacks in the protracted three-year conflict. Rescue workers were observed amidst the rubble, with bodies covered at the strike site near a destroyed trolleybus.
Casualty Figures and Infrastructure Damage
President Zelensky reported that eight of the hospitalized 68 injured individuals were in critical condition. He further detailed the widespread damage, stating, “In addition to the university, the strike damaged five apartment buildings, cafes, shops, and the district court. In total, the Russian attack damaged 20 buildings.”
Global Outcry and Calls for Accountability
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed being “deeply alarmed and shocked” by the strike, highlighting a “devastating pattern of similar assaults on Ukrainian cities” recently, according to his spokesman Stephane Dujarric. Andriy Yermak, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, confirmed, “The Russians hit the city of Sumy with missiles, killing civilians.” Local authorities in Sumy conveyed reports of “many dead,” with acting mayor Artem Kobzar describing it as a “terrible tragedy” on Palm Sunday, stating, “Unfortunately, more than 20 deaths are already known.”
Zelensky’s Emotional Appeal for Global Action
Zelensky characterized the attack as “a terrible strike by Russian ballistic missiles on Sumy,” lamenting that “Enemy missiles hit an ordinary city street, ordinary life.” He pleaded for a “tough reaction from the world,” urging the United States, Europe, and all nations desiring peace to exert pressure on Russia, stating, “Without pressure on the aggressor, peace is impossible.”
Details of Russian Weaponry and Witness Testimony
Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine‘s GUR military intelligence, stated on Telegram that Russia employed two Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles in the Sumy attack. An eyewitness recounted hearing two explosions and described the horrific aftermath, “A lot of people were very badly injured. A lot of corpses,” with visible distress. Sumy declared three days of mourning in response to the tragedy.
Prior Attacks and Calls for Strong Response
This attack on Sumy marks the second Russian attack this month resulting in a high civilian death toll, following a prior assault on Zelensky’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih. Zelensky reiterated his call for a “strong response” from the United States and Europe, emphasizing, “Talking has never stopped ballistic missiles and bombs.”
International Political Reactions
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the strike as demonstrating Russia‘s “blatant disregard for human lives.” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed being “appalled,” while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni labeled it a “cowardly” act. German chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz described it as “a serious war crime, deliberate and intended.” The timing of the attack on Palm Sunday drew particular outrage from numerous leaders.
Palm Sunday Significance and Further Condemnation
Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine‘s human rights ombudsman, emphasized the attack’s occurrence on “Palm Sunday,” a major religious holiday for Ukrainians. European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen condemned it as “a barbaric attack, made even more vile as people gathered peacefully to celebrate Palm Sunday.” Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk termed it “Russian version of a ceasefire. Bloody Palm Sunday.” Moscow has reportedly rejected a US-proposed unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine.
Visual Evidence and Ongoing Conflict
Authorities in Sumy released footage depicting bodies in the streets, people fleeing for safety, burning vehicles, and wounded civilians. Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukraine in recent weeks, escalating its invasion, which has now persisted for over three years. Sumy has faced heightened pressure as Moscow repositioned Ukrainian forces from its Kursk region inside Russia, across the border. Kyiv had previously warned of a potential Russian offensive on the city. Notably, Russia initiated its invasion partly through the Sumy region, briefly occupying areas before being repelled by Ukrainian forces. Amidst these events, Russia announced capturing another village in eastern Ukraine‘s Donetsk region on Sunday.