US President Donald Trump has described Russia’s lethal missile strike on the Ukrainian metropolis of Sumy as a “mistake”, at the same time as world outrage over the assault grows. Based on Unbiased , Trump mentioned the incident was “horrible” however claimed he had been instructed it wasn’t intentional.
“I feel it was horrible and I used to be instructed they made a mistake,” Trump mentioned whereas talking to reporters aboard Air Power One. “However I feel it’s a horrible factor. I feel the entire warfare is a horrible factor.”
The missile assault on Sunday, one of many deadliest within the ongoing battle, killed no less than 34 individuals and injured 117 others. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has since invited Trump to go to the war-torn nation to witness the destruction firsthand earlier than making any offers with Russia.
“Please, earlier than any sort of choices, any sort of types of negotiations, come to see individuals, civilians, warriors, hospitals, church buildings, youngsters destroyed or useless,” Zelenskyy mentioned in an interview with CBS’s 60 Minutes, reported by BBC.
A video shared by Zelensky confirmed the aftermath of the assault—our bodies scattered throughout a metropolis avenue, destroyed buses, and burnt-out automobiles. Russia’s defence ministry later claimed it had focused a gathering of Ukrainian army commanders utilizing two Iskander missiles.
At present, 38 persons are receiving therapy in medical services in Sumy following yesterday’s Russian ballistic strike — amongst them, 9 youngsters. 11 individuals, together with 3 youngsters, are in crucial situation. Each effort is being made to supply them with most help.… pic.twitter.com/fRDV0mVepN
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 14, 2025
Whereas Trump didn’t specify who instructed him the strike was a mistake, his feedback have sparked criticism. Trump’s particular envoy to Ukraine, retired Lt Gen Keith Kellogg, known as the strike “past any line of decency”.
European leaders, together with German Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron, condemned the assault as a possible warfare crime. “It was a perfidious act… a severe warfare crime, deliberate and meant,” Merz instructed German broadcaster ARD, as quoted by Unbiased.
EU international ministers are anticipated to satisfy in Luxembourg to debate additional sanctions on Russia and potential safety ensures for Ukraine. In the meantime, the United Nations reiterated that assaults on civilians are unlawful underneath worldwide legislation and known as for a direct finish to such violence.
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The strike in Sumy follows an analogous assault on Kryvyi Rih earlier this month that killed 20 individuals. Russia had then additionally claimed to be focusing on army personnel, although proof was missing.
The warfare, now in its fourth 12 months since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, has already displaced tens of millions and claimed lots of of hundreds of lives. Ukraine and its allies proceed to push for a ceasefire that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
(with inputs from Reuters)
