Russia claims strike targeted Ukrainian commanders as civilian death toll mounts in Sumy

Russia has claimed responsibility for a missile strike in northeastern Ukraine, saying it targeted a meeting of Ukrainian military commanders. However, Ukrainian officials say the attack struck the centre of the city of Sumy, killing dozens of civilians.

According to Russian state media, a statement from the country’s Defence Ministry said the missile barrage hit a gathering of the Seversk operational-tactical group of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The ministry alleged that more than 60 Ukrainian servicemen were “destroyed” in the strike.

The Russian military has not commented on the reported deaths of civilians, including children, in the same incident.

Ukrainian authorities say the missiles hit central Sumy on April 13, killing 34 people, among them two children. Over 100 others were injured in the attack, which caused significant damage to residential and commercial buildings.

The strike comes less than two weeks after a similar incident in the city of Kryvyy Rih 4 April 4, a missile hit a residential neighbourhood there, killing 20 people, including nine children. At the time, Russia claimed it had targeted a meeting of Ukrainian commanders.

Moscow has consistently framed such attacks as strikes against military targets.