Summary

Media caption,

BBC on the scene of Russian missile attack in Sumy

  1. Russian attack crosses line, US envoy sayspublished at 15:05 British Summer Time 13 April

    U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg.Image source, Reuters

    The Ukraine-Russia envoy for the US, Keith Kellogg, says Russia's attack on Sumy "crosses any line of decency".

    Writing on social media, Kellogg describes the ballistic missile strikes as "wrong".

    He adds that the US remains involved in brokering an end to the conflict: "It is why President Trump is working hard to end this war".

    In response to Kellogg's post, Zelensky's communications adviser Dmytro Lytvyn says: "Don’t you think it’s time to smack the Moscow mule across the nose with a 2x4 (two-by-four)?"

  2. A scene of devastation - let's get you up to speedpublished at 14:50 British Summer Time 13 April

    Burnt out cars following strikes on Sumy in Ukraine.Image source, Reuters
    • Russian strikes on Sumy, Ukraine, have killed at least 32 people, dozens more are injured
    • Rescue work is in progress, as Ukraine's interior minister says the death toll may rise
    • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin of ignoring US attempts to reach a ceasefire
    • "Everything in my house jumped," a resident in Sumy tells the BBC - here's what we know about the region
    • European leaders have been reacting, with both the French president and the UK prime minister condemning the attack
    • Our Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse says the strikes left a scene of devastation, as the idea of peace in the region feels no closer
  3. What do we know about Sumy?published at 14:26 British Summer Time 13 April

    Sumy, in north-east Ukraine, is the capital city of the Sumy Oblast region. It lies around 25 miles (40km) from the Russian border.

    The city borders Russia's Kursk region, parts of which have been occupied by Ukrainian troops to strengthen Kyiv's hand in any negotiations, though they have been forced back in recent weeks.

    The city has regularly been attacked. On 24 March, Sumy City Council said 99 people, including 23 children, were injured after a Russian strike.

    As it lies close to the border, Sumy is regularly attacked by Russian glide bombs - a simple and cheap munition with a basic targeting system - fired from inside Russia.

    Two maps which show how Ukraine's advance of the Sudzha region of Russia's border has collapsed over 7 months
  4. Russian strikes a reminder of continuing bloodshed, UK prime minister sayspublished at 14:05 British Summer Time 13 April

    Starmer in suit, sat in front of wooden wall.Image source, Reuters

    A little earlier we heard from French President Emmanuel Macron who says Russia's attack on Sumy shows a "blatant disregard for human lives".

    Now, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has condemned the attack as "horrific".

    He says the strikes are a "stark reminder of the continued bloodshed" carried out by Russia.

    "President Zelensky has shown his commitment to peace, President Putin must now agree to a full and immediate ceasefire without conditions - as Ukraine has done," Starmer adds.

    • As a reminder, Starmer and Macron have been working together to try and bring peace in Ukraine, having set up the "coalition of the willing" and calling for an end to the war
  5. In pictures: Rescue efforts continue in Sumypublished at 13:52 British Summer Time 13 April

    The Ukrainian authorities have released some more pictures showing the scale of the devastation on Sumy.

    These latest images show emergency services' continuing response to this morning's deadly strikes:

    Firefighters use a hose to extinguise a blazing car, rubble and dirt is covering rhe road and there are visibly damaged buildings in the backgroundImage source, EPA
    A burnt out car is next to a destroyed bus. A tree has fallen over and landed on top of the roof.Image source, EPA
    Rescue workers examine the car damaged by the treeImage source, EPA
    A badly damaged apartment building, visible shrapnel damage and expose brickwork, as well as blown-out windows and a large hole in the building.Image source, EPA
  6. The number of victims may rise, says Ukraine's interior ministerpublished at 13:40 British Summer Time 13 April

    We've seen a statement from Ukraine's Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko, who has confirmed at least two Russian ballistic missiles hit Sumy earlier.

    Speaking to Ukrainian news agency RBC-Ukraine, Klymenko also warns "the number of victims may increase".

    In a scathing attack on the Russian military, Klymenko says the attacks hit the city centre, noting that on Palm Sunday many people were on the street celebrating and there is a church near to the strike location.

    "It was at this time that the Russians struck, clearly realising that they were hitting civilians," he adds.

  7. Analysis

    Cluster munitions used to kill as many people as possible, Sumy officials saypublished at 13:32 British Summer Time 13 April

    James Waterhouse
    Ukraine correspondent in Kyiv

    A handout photo made available by the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES) shows Ukrainian rescuers working at the site of a rocket strike in downtown Sumy, UkraineImage source, Ukraine State Emergency Service via EPA
    Image caption,

    Ukrainian rescue workers at the site of the rocket strike on Sumy

    These were direct hits on a bustling city on a weekend morning. And given it was Palm Sunday, more people would have been about than normal.

    Officials in Sumy say the missiles were packed with cluster munitions, which are designed to take as many lives as possible.

    They have left a scene of devastation, with burning vehicles, bent trees, and a burning trolley car where the deaths seem to have been concentrated.

    Bodies that were strewn across the area are gradually being put into body bags in Sumy and the death toll will likely rise in a place that's now habitually pummelled by Russian forces across the nearby border.

    It’s a part of Ukraine where Russian forces are thought to be preparing for a major offensive, as they continue to pursue their goal of occupying as much of the country as possible.

  8. Russia has 'blatant disregard' for lives and diplomacy - French presidentpublished at 13:26 British Summer Time 13 April

    Zelensky, Starmer and Macron in the Elysee Palace in ParisImage source, EPA
    Image caption,

    Zelensky (left), Starmer (middle) and Macron (right) pictured in the Elysee Palace in Paris earlier this year

    French President Emmanuel Macron says today's strike on Sumy show Russia's "blatant disregard for human lives, international law, and the diplomatic efforts of President Trump".

    Quote Message

    Everyone knows this war was initiated by Russia alone and today it is clear that Russia alone chooses to continue it."

    President Macron

    France and the UK have had a prominent role in finding common ground among European allies to support Ukraine in recent months, setting up the "coalition of the willing" to support Ukraine.

    In a post on the social media platform X, he says France is working "tirelessly" with its partners towards a ceasefire.

    Also reacting to the strikes, EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas describes it as a “horrific example of Russia intensifying attacks while Ukraine has accepted an unconditional ceasefire”.

    President of the European Council Antonio Costa says Russia's "campaign of violence" shows once again the war "exists and endures only because Russia chooses so".

  9. Dashcam video shows the moment a blast hits Sumypublished at 13:19 British Summer Time 13 April

    Dashcam footage in Sumy, that has been authenticated by BBC Verify, shows the view from a vehicle as a blast rocked the city earlier today.

    This short clip shows a nearby, street-level perspective of today's missile strike on the city:

    Media caption,

    Dashcam video shows the moment a blast hits Sumy

  10. Analysis

    Ceasefire feels a long way off as Russia hits Ukraine with daily strikespublished at 13:03 British Summer Time 13 April

    James Waterhouse
    Ukraine correspondent in Kyiv

    A handout photo made available by the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES) shows Ukrainian rescuers working at the site of a rocket strike in downtown Sumy, Ukraine, 13 April 2025Image source, State Emergency Service Of Ukraine via EPA
    Image caption,

    Smoke billows into the air next to Ukrainian rescue workers in Sumy

    Every inch of Ukraine feels the pressure of Russia’s full-scale invasion, but it is becoming more concentrated in Sumy.

    This attack has also caused a political fracture, with a mayor in the region, Artem Semenikhin, giving regional security officials until 18:00 to resign for failing to prevent this attack.

    The president’s chief of staff has accused him of using the tragedy for political gain.

    More broadly, drone and missile strikes are launched daily - mostly at night. In Kyiv there were four hours of sirens last night.

    There is still no agreement between Kyiv and Washington over a potential energy deal, which would see America invest in Ukraine in exchange for continued military help.

    All as US special envoy Steve Witkoff engaged in a friendly meeting with Russia's President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg yesterday.

    Witkoff's host is still demanding of the complete occupation of four Ukrainian provinces and the political capitulation of Ukraine.

    For a Ukrainian on a morning like today, the idea of peace or a ceasefire feels no closer.

  11. 'Everything in my house jumped,' Sumy resident tells BBCpublished at 12:55 British Summer Time 13 April

    Ludmyla Voronina

    We’ve just heard from a woman living in Sumy, north-east Ukraine.

    Ludmyla Voronina tells the BBC she lives two or three kilometres from where the explosion happened.

    She says there were blasts from two ballistic rockets – one first, then another two minutes later.

    Ludmyla heard a huge bang from her house: “Everything in my house jumped.”

    She also says a trolleybus exploded.

    Living in Sumy, Ludmyla says she never feels safe. Some of her children are staying abroad, but she remains in Sumy because she has pets, an elderly mother and a business there.

    Quote Message

    It’s my motherland; it’s difficult for me to leave it."

    Ludmyla

    As for peace talks, she says she doesn’t believe they will work.

  12. Death toll in Sumy rises to 32published at 12:44 British Summer Time 13 April
    Breaking

    The death toll following today's strike in Sumy has gone up to 32, Ukraine's state emergency service has said.

    Two children are among those who have been killed.

    Another 84 people, including 10 children, were injured, with emergency and rescue operations continuing.

  13. Sumy struck by Iskander-M ballistic missiles - Ukraine officialspublished at 12:37 British Summer Time 13 April

    Chris Partridge
    BBC News Weapons Analyst

    In the last few minutes, Ukraine's Intelligence Service says the strike on Sumy came from two Iskander-M ballistic missiles from the Voronezh and Kursk areas of Russia.

  14. Two missile strikes fell on area around Sumy State Universitypublished at 12:18 British Summer Time 13 April

    We've just heard from BBC reporters on the ground in Ukraine, where the authorities have clarified there were two ballistic strikes this morning.

    Two Iskander missiles were used at around 10:15 local time (08:15 BST), both hitting the area around Sumy State University, authorities said.

    Ukrainian authorities told the BBC that 20 buildings were damaged, including four educational institutions, 10 cars and trams - as well as cafes, shops and five apartment buildings.

  15. Without strong pressure Russia will continue to drag out this war - Zelenskypublished at 12:16 British Summer Time 13 April

    Zelensky delivering a speech wearing a black top.Image source, EPA

    "It is crucial that the world does not stay silent or indifferent," after the missile attack in Sumy, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says in new a statement on X.

    "Russian strikes deserve nothing but condemnation. There must be pressure on Russia to end the war and guarantee security for people," he says adding that "Russia will continue dragging this war" without strong pressure.

    "It’s now the second month that Putin has been ignoring the US proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire," Zelensky adds.

    "Unfortunately, there in Moscow they are convinced they can keep killing with impunity. Action is needed to change this situation," he says.

  16. Missile strike comes after US envoy met Putinpublished at 12:05 British Summer Time 13 April

    US special envoy Steve Witkoff shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Presidential Library in St PetersburgImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Steve Witkoff met Vladimir Putin at the Presidential Library in St Petersburg on Friday

    The missile strike in Sumy comes after US envoy Steve Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg on Friday.

    The Kremlin said the meeting lasted more than four hours and focused on "aspects of a Ukrainian settlement". The meeting, Witkoff's third with Putin this year, was described by Russian special envoy Kirill Dmitriev as "productive".

    Trump, the US president, has expressed frustration over the progress of talks. On Friday, he wrote: "Russia has to get moving. Too many people [are] DYING, thousands a week, in a terrible and senseless war."

    After meeting Putin, Witkoff travelled to Oman for talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi about Tehran’s nuclear programme.

    Ukraine's top counter-disinformation official Andriy Kovalenko addressed the meeting between Witkoff and Putin after the missile attack in Sumy saying: "Russia builds all its so-called diplomacy and racketeering around attacks on civilians."

  17. At least 31 people, including two children, killed in strikepublished at 11:52 British Summer Time 13 April
    Breaking

    At least 31 people, including two children, have been killed in the strike in Sumy, according to a new statement from Ukraine's State Emergency Service.

    Another 84 people, including 10 children, were injured. Rescue work is in progress at the scene, the statement adds.

  18. Ukraine's foreign minister condemns attack as 'absolute evil'published at 11:42 British Summer Time 13 April

    Ukraine's foreign minister Andrii SybihaImage source, Reuters

    Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has reacted to the strike saying: "Launching such an attack on a major Christian holiday is absolute evil."

    The minister adds officials are "sharing detailed information about this war crime".

    He also criticises Russia for rejecting a US ceasefire proposal and urges Ukraine’s partners to step up pressure on Moscow.

    "Strength is the only language they can understand and the only way to put an end to the horrific terror."

  19. Twenty-four people, including one child, killed in attack - state emergency servicepublished at 11:30 British Summer Time 13 April
    Breaking

    As of 13:00 local time (11:00 BST), 24 people, including one child, have been killed in the strike, according to a statement from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine's Telegram channel.

    Another 84 people, including seven children, were injured.

  20. Firefighters tackle blazes at site of strikepublished at 11:03 British Summer Time 13 April

    We can bring you the latest images of the aftermath of the ballistic missile strike in Sumy.

    The images, from Ukraine's state emergency service and the prosecutor-general's office, show firefighters tackling large blazes on residential streets, amid a scene of destruction.

    As we previously reported, a rescue mission is currently under way at the site.

    Two firefighters work at the site of the strike, spraying water from a house. It is a site of destruction.Image source, State Emergency Service of Ukraine/Reuters
    Emergency workers stand around a bus that appears to have been hit during the strikeImage source, Prosecutor General's Office/Reuters
    A row of cars that appear to have been struck and badly damaged.Image source, Prosecutor General's Office/Reuters