From: Transform Ukraine By Douglas Landro / April 14, 2025
As Kremlin Dismisses Swift Peace, Iskander Missiles Rain Death on Sumy’s Churchgoers, Killing 34 While Strikes Continue Across Ukraine
Summary of the Day – April 13, 2025
In a day that will be remembered for its brutal symmetry—worshippers gathered for Palm Sunday processions as missiles thundered toward Sumy’s crowded center—Russia unleashed one of its deadliest attacks in months. The ballistic strike tore through streets filled with churchgoers, leaving 34 dead and 117 wounded as bodies lay strewn among Palm Sunday willow branches. Meanwhile in Moscow, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissively rejected hopes for any “lightning-fast results” from peace negotiations, offering words as cold as the missiles his government launched. Across the country’s southern flank, Russian forces pounded Kherson with artillery and struck Odesa with drones, while territorial chess moves continued along the eastern front. The day also brought revelations of Chinese military officers observing from Russian-held territory, and European leaders responding with outrage while Washington offered sympathy but little concrete pressure.
Holy Day Turned Hellscape: Missiles Shatter Palm Sunday in Sumy
The sacred observance of Palm Sunday transformed into scenes of apocalyptic devastation when two Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles, fingers of flame launched from Russian soil, descended upon Sumy’s city center shortly after 10:00 am. The missiles—equipped with cluster warheads designed to maximize civilian casualties—struck as streets filled with families returning from church services, their ceremonial willow branches still in hand.
Voice of Ukraine 