On this Palm Sunday, a different kind of tragedy gripped the city of Sumy in eastern Ukraine. Two ballistic missiles struck the region, killing at least 34 people, including 2 children. More than 100 additional people were injured in the attack—all during a time when most of the city was on their way to Sunday church services. The attack has prompted international outrage and spotlighted the continued conflict and tension between Ukraine and Russia.
Russia’s defense ministry acknowledged the civilian casualties but attributed the attack’s blame to Ukraine. The ministry claimed that the Ukrainian government itself was employing its own people as a human shield. Their argument was the federal government had deliberately located military bases in populous areas. Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for the Kremlin, reiterated this position, stating, “Our army hits only military and military-related targets.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to what happened with the fervor it required. In his comments, he disclosed that American military assistance to Ukraine has “virtually ceased.” He stressed the need for sustained support from global partners, especially as Ukraine contends with daily attacks from Russia. Among other things, Zelenskyy sought to acquire U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems as a means of strengthening Ukraine’s defensive capabilities.
“Please, before any kind of decisions, any kind of forms of negotiations, come to see people, civilians, warriors, hospitals, churches, children destroyed or dead,” – Volodymyr Zelenskyy
In a statement on the attack, former U.S. president Donald Trump dismissed its seriousness, referring to it simply as “a mistake.” To that extent he was right in calling the conflict “a terrible thing.” He went on to imply that it never would have gotten this bad if he’d still been in charge. Trump’s comments have been condemned on all sides, not least because of the loss of civilian life.
“This war would never have started if I were president. That war is a shame,” – Donald Trump
The attack in Sumy comes as Ukraine is facing a record-high number of civilian deaths amid continued military operations in the country. Just last week, Olena Halushka of the Anti-Corruption Action Centre in Kyiv drew attention to a recent tragedy. The last such strike on Kryvyi Rih killed nine children. Her account vividly illustrates the appalling consequences of war on the most vulnerable, indiscriminate of innocent lives.
“No one accidentally uses a cluster munition warhead against a crowded city centre on a major holiday.” – Olena Halushka
To that end, Zelenskyy invited Trump to come to Ukraine, to see for himself the devastation wrought by Russia’s invasion. He assured that there would be no staged events during Trump’s visit and that he could observe the aftermath of the conflict in any city affected by attacks.
“We will not prepare anything. It will not be theatre. You can go exactly where you want, in any city which [has] been under attacks,” – Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, just last week met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg. On September 30, he announced that four Ukrainian regions had held sham referendums and voted to join Russia. This follow-on meeting would only add more tension to the already strained U.S.-Russia relationship, and it did just that.
As tensions mount, Zelenskyy remains a powerful voice in urging the world to provide Ukraine with increased military assistance and stronger support. He denounces Russian talking points for taking over the conversation in the U.S., claiming that they distort the truth about the war.
“I believe that Russian narratives prevail in the United States. It seems to me that the vice-president is justifying Putin’s actions. This is a change in reality. The Russians are the aggressors, and we are the victims,” – Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Zelenskyy has repeatedly sounded the alarm on what Putin wants to do to the sovereignty of Ukraine. He argues that believing anything Putin says would be a terrible mistake. He is convinced that the Kremlin plans to destroy Ukraine as a nation.
“Putin can’t be trusted. I told that to President Trump many times. So when you ask why the ceasefire isn’t working – this is why,” – Volodymyr Zelenskyy
As global leaders respond to the events unfolding in Sumy, it remains crucial for international communities to address the humanitarian crisis and provide necessary support to mitigate further civilian suffering.