‘Dozens of dead and wounded’ in Russian strike on Ukraine’s Sumy: Zelenskyy

The Ukrainian president condemns ‘terrible’ missile attack days after Trump envoy Steve Witkoff met President Putin in Russia.

A Russian ballistic missile attack on the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy has killed more than 20 people, according to local authorities.

“On this bright Palm Sunday, our community has suffered a terrible tragedy,” acting Mayor Artem Kobzar said in a statement on social media, referring to the first day of the Holy Week for Christians.

“Unfortunately, we already know of more than 20 deaths,” he added.

Separately, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said “dozens” of people were killed and wounded in the “terrible” attack.

“And this is on a day when people go to church: Palm Sunday.”

The attack comes as the United States under President Donald Trump intensifies efforts for a ceasefire in the war, more than three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

On Friday, Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

The warring sides have continued to exchange attacks despite agreeing to a US-brokered deal to pause strikes on energy infrastructure, underscoring the challenges of negotiating an end to the conflict.

More soon.

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Al Jazeera and news agencies