The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
Russia’s war against Ukraine
The aftermath of the Russian attack on Sumy that killed dozens on Palm Sunday on April 13, 2025. (State Emergency Service of Ukraine / Telegram)
Russian strike kills at least 34, injures 117 in Sumy on Palm Sunday. A Russian missile strike killed at least 34 people in Ukraine’s northeastern city of Sumy on the morning of Palm Sunday, Sumy Mayor Artem Kobzar reported on April 13.
Ukraine’s intelligence reveals Russian brigades responsible for Sumy attack. Russia’s 112th and 448th missile brigades attacked the city of Sumy with two Iskander-M ballistic missiles, Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) reported.
Sumy governor organized military award ceremony on day of deadly Russian attack, official claims. The event, allegedly planned by Sumy Oblast Governor Volodymyr Artiukh, posed undue risk to civilians and military personnel, Konotop Mayor Artem Semenikhin claimed.
‘The security of the world is at stake,’ Trump should visit Ukraine, Zelensky says. “Putin’s ultimate goal is to revive the Russian Empire and reclaim territories currently under NATO protection… Considering all of this, I believe it could escalate into a world war,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
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Russia used cluster munitions in deadly attack on Sumy, US ambassador says. “Reports indicate, as in Kryvyi Rih, cluster munitions were used, increasing the devastation and harm to civilians,” outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink said.
‘They are not afraid’ — Zelensky calls for increased international pressure after Russian attack on Sumy. “This Friday marked exactly one month since Russia spurned the U.S. proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire. They are not afraid…Only pressure – only decisive action – can change this.”
Explosion rocks thermal plant in Russia. A fire broke out at a substation in the morning after an explosion occurred at a thermal power plant in the Russian city of Orenburg, leaving many local residents without power.
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Ukraine war latest: Russian strike kills at least 34, injures 117 in Sumy on Palm Sunday
A Russian ballistic missile strike killed dozens of people in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy on the morning of Palm Sunday, Sumy Mayor Artem Kobzar reported on April 13.
Photo: Ukraine’s State Emergency Service / Telegram
‘Everything was black’ — Russia strikes downtown Sumy filled with people on Palm Sunday, killing dozens
The city, which lies in northeastern Ukraine just over 30 kilometers from the Russian border, has suffered relentless attacks from Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion.
Image: State Emergency Service of Ukraine / Telegram
Human cost of Russia’s war
Ukrainian orchestra musician, Olena Kohut killed in deadly Russian attack on Sumy. “On April 13, 2025, as a result of a missile strike by Russia, our theater family suffered a pain that words cannot describe. Inflicted wounds killed our colleague, artist of the orchestra theater — Olena Kohut,” the Sumy National Theater said.
Russian attacks on Kherson kill 3, injure 2. Shelling in the city center killed a 62-year-old woman, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said. Two other Kherson residents, a 48-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman, died in the hospital after being injured in drone attacks.
Russian drone attack injures 5, causes fires in Odesa. The strike also damaged the roof, windows and operating room of a medical facility in Odesa, according to Mayor Hennadii Trukhanov.
International response
‘Crosses any line of decency’ — US Envoy Kellogg condemns Russian attack on Sumy. “As a former military leader, I understand targeting and this is wrong,” U.S. Special Envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg wrote in response to Russia’s deadly Palm Sunday missile strike on civilians in Sumy.
‘A war crime’ — European leaders react to Russia’s Palm Sunday attack on Sumy that killed dozens. Russia launched two ballistic missiles at the city in northeastern Ukraine on the morning of Palm Sunday, when many citizens were celebrating the religious holiday.
US offers sympathy to Ukraine after deadly Sumy attack — but no mention of pressure on Russia. “The United States extends our deepest condolences to the victims of today’s horrifying Russian missile attack on Sumy,” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote on X. The statement did not include condemnation of Russia’s actions or calls for increased sanctions on Moscow.
Turkey to hold Black Sea security meeting with Russia and Ukraine. The meeting will focus on upholding peace in the Black Sea after a potential ceasefire, sources from Turkey’s defense ministry told regional media outlets.
EU foreign ministers to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine, new sanctions against Russia, media reports. European Union foreign ministers will meet in Luxembourg on April 14 to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine, including a possible monitoring mission under the “coalition of the willing,” a senior EU official told European Pravda on condition of anonymity.
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