Russian Air Attack on Sumy Kills Four, Including Child; Zelensky Calls for Pressure

A Russian aerial attack on the city center of Sumy, Ukraine, tragically killed four people, including a child, and left 27 others injured, six of them children. President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack, describing it as "terror" and urging international partners to intensify pressure on Russia to halt such actions.

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In Sumy, operations are underway to deal with the consequences of the air raid. The Russians used guided aerial bombs against civilians in the center of the city. There may still be people trapped under the rubble of a building. Tragically, at the moment, 4 victims have been confirmed, including a child. My condolences to their families and loved ones. Another 27 people were injured, including six children. Many suffered serious injuries.

"It is fundamental that our partners exert pressure on Russia so that this terror ends," Zelensky wrote on X, formerly Twitter. He shared images depicting the aftermath of the strike, including a poignant photo of a young girl receiving resuscitation efforts. The head of the Sumy regional military administration, Oleg Grigorov, confirmed the deaths of the 5-year-old girl and her mother despite resuscitation attempts.

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It is fundamental that our partners exert pressure on Russia so that this terror ends.

Zelensky specifically called on the United States, G7, and G20 nations, as well as Europe, to utilize their leverage, particularly concerning Russia's energy sector, oil fleet, and financial system. He also stressed the need for enhanced air defense capabilities for Ukraine.

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Those whom Russia will listen to are, undoubtedly, the United States, other G7 and G20 countries, and Europe.

The attack on Sumy is part of a wider wave of Russian assaults across Ukraine. Zelensky reported that Russia also targeted Zaporizhzhia with a drone strike, resulting in two deaths and six injuries, including a child. Kharkiv was hit by an enemy FPV drone, causing injuries, and communities in the Dnipro and Donetsk regions also came under attack.

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We must remember that Europe has tools it can use to put pressure on this aggressor - especially on its energy sector, its oil fleet, and its financial system. Those tools must be used.