German chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz has said Russia has committed a ‘serious war crime‘ after at least 34 people were killed and dozens were injured in a missile strike in Ukraine.
The city of Sumy was attacked on Sunday at around 10.15am local time, or 8.15am BST, as worshippers gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday, killing more than 30 people and injuring 117 others – including children.
Germany‘s incoming chancellor told broadcaster ARD: ‘It was a perfidious act… and it is a serious war crime, deliberate and intended.’
He continued: ‘There are two waves of attacks and the second arrived as emergency workers were taking care of the victims.’
He added: ‘That is the response, that is what Putin does to those who talk with him of a ceasefire.’
Merz, from the conservative CDU/CSU bloc and set to lead the new coalition government, finished: ‘Our willingness to discuss with him is interpreted not as a serious offer to make peace but as weakness.’
Two Russian ballistic missiles slammed into the centre of the northern city this morning, even though there are no military facilities anywhere near the target area.
Footage of the blast showed bodies lying in the street and cars and buses ablaze. A mother was seen comforting her daughter, who had been injured by shrapnel.
German chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz (pictured) has said Russia committed a ‘serious war crime’ with a missile strike in Ukraine today that killed at least 34 people, including children
The city of Sumy was attacked today (pictured) at around 10.15am local time, or 8.15am BST, as worshippers gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday
Merz added: ‘That is the response, that is what Putin does to those who talk with him of a ceasefire’. Pictured: Russian president Vladimir Putin
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has since urged allies to put more pressure on Russia to agree a ceasefire.
The attack, which took place just over a month after Russia refused a 30-day ceasefire offer, was condemned by Mr Zelensky, Sir Keir Starmer and other leaders.
In a sign that US patience with Russia could be wearing thin, Keith Kellogg, President Donald Trump‘s envoy to Ukraine, said the attack ‘crosses any line of decency’.
It was also condemned by the US ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink. Her social media post criticising Russia’s actions, including its apparent use of cluster munitions designed to cause more casualties, could put her on a collision course with the White House, as Mr Trump has been reluctant to criticise Russia publicly.
Following the missile strike, Mr Zelensky said: ‘Only scoundrels can act like this, taking the lives of ordinary people. And this on a day when people go to church – Palm Sunday, the feast of the Lord’s entry into Jerusalem.
‘Russia wants exactly this kind of terror and is dragging out this war. Without pressure on the aggressor, peace is impossible.
‘Talks have never stopped ballistic missiles and aerial bombs.’
Local reports said at least two children were among the dead, while more than 100 people are said to have been injured, including 11 children. Sir Keir said: ‘I’m appalled at Russia’s horrific attacks on civilians in Sumy. President Zelensky has shown his commitment to peace. Putin must now agree to a full and immediate ceasefire without conditions.’
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky (pictured) has since urged allies to put more pressure on Russia to agree a ceasefire
The attack, which took place just over a month after Russia refused a 30-day ceasefire offer, was condemned by Mr Zelensky, Sir Keir Starmer and other leaders. Pictured: Destruction in Sumy following Sunday’s missile attack
In a sign that US patience with Russia could be wearing thin, Keith Kellogg, President Donald Trump ‘s envoy to Ukraine, said the attack ‘crosses any line of decency’. Pictured: Residents are evacuated from a destroyed bus in Sumy
Ukrainian rescuers working at the site of the rocket strike in Sumy
Searchers clear the rubble following the missile attack in the Ukrainian city
A man cries as he leans on the bus that was hit by a Russian missile in Sumy
A baseball cap with the Ukrainian flag on it lying at the site of the missile strike
An emergency worker rests amid the rescue operation in the Ukrainian city of Sumy
Rubble and destruction following the Russian missile strike, that killed at least 34 people
A rescue worker walks past the remains of a burned car after the deadly missile strike on Ukraine
Polish prime minister Donald Tusk said: ‘The Russian version of a ceasefire. Bloody Palm Sunday.’ French president Emmanuel Macron said: ‘Today it is clear Russia alone chooses to continue this war with blatant disregard for human lives, international law and the diplomatic efforts of President Trump.
‘Strong measures are needed to impose a ceasefire on Russia.’
The attack came just two days after Putin met US peace envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg to discuss a truce. After the talks Mr Trump insisted negotiations with Russia were ‘going fine’. But based on its actions on Sunday, Russia does not appear to be inclined to end the conflict.
Since Ukraine offered a ceasefire a month ago, Russia has continued its aerial assault of civilian areas and energy infrastructure.
In that time, Putin has demanded conditions and given excuses as to why Moscow cannot agree a peace deal.
Most victims of the latest attack were on the streets celebrating Palm Sunday when the missiles struck at around 10.30am. One of the warheads hit a university building next to a church.
Mr Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, suggested Russia’s motive was to ‘kill as many civilians as possible’.
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and now holds about 20 per cent of the country’s territory in the east and south.
Russian forces have been slowly advancing in the east recently.
