Palm Sunday Tragedy: Ballistic Missile Explosion in Sumy, Ukraine Kills 35, Injures 145

International Desk, PNN

In April of this year, a Russian ballistic missile explosion in the city of Sumy, Ukraine, reduced a passenger bus and nearby streets to rubble. That Palm Sunday, a routine shopping trip by a mother and her son turned into a deadly tragedy. After the explosion, 14-year-old Maksym broke a bus window and ran to save his life—his mother, Natalia Tenitska, remained behind, bloodied.

The family lived just 20 miles from the border. They had gone out to buy new school photoshoot outfits. The bus that day—Route 62—connected the city’s university, shopping mall, and airport, with a fare of just 20 cents. The bus was crowded when two powerful Russian missiles struck the city. One missile destroyed the Sumy State University conference center, while the other exploded directly in front of the bus on Peter and Paul Street.

Describing the explosion, Natalia said, “Suddenly it became dark. My ears were ringing. Everywhere, people were shouting—‘Open the door! Get out!’”

Another passenger, Tetiana Pohorelova, was traveling with her three-year-old daughter, Lisa, to visit her grandparents. Her first reaction after the explosion was, “I feel my body… Lisa is crying… which means we are alive.”

Because the missile exploded in front of the bus, the front-row passengers acted as a human shield for those in the back. Many in the front died on the spot, and pedestrians on the street were not spared. Renowned pianist Olena Kogut (47) was hit by shrapnel and could be seen slowly collapsing to the ground in a video before being taken to the hospital, where she later died. In total, 35 civilians, including two children, were killed, and 145 were injured.

Sumy regional prosecutor Vitalii Dovhal visited the scene and said, “There was mud, dust, blood, and corpses… nothing but chaos.” He described the attack as a clear war crime.

Since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, thousands of attacks have targeted civilians. As of now, over 178,000 war crimes investigations are ongoing under the country’s Prosecutor General. Schools, homes, hospitals, and playgrounds have all been targeted. Allegations include child abduction, forced Russification, and family separation. In 2023, the International Criminal Court even issued arrest warrants against Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Beth Van Schaack, former U.S. Ambassador for Global Justice, said, “Attacks are occurring even in areas with no military targets. The purpose is to create terror and intimidate the population.”

While Russian leaders may not face international trial, Ukraine continues to prosecute war criminals. So far, 211 individuals have been convicted, most of whom remain at large.

Dovhal stated that serial numbers, engine fragments, and drone remnants from the missiles are being collected for future trials. He confirmed that the Russian units behind the Palm Sunday attack in Sumy have been identified. Russia claimed it targeted a military event at the conference center that day, but Dovhal noted, “No soldier was killed, only civilians.”

Months later, Pohorelova still shows signs of trauma in her eyes. Yet she does not seek revenge: “I do not want their death,” she said. “I just want them to understand what it means to live in fear. And I want this war to end so people can return to their homes.”

Source: CBS News