UPDATE 3 - Ukraine says over 30 killed by Russian missile strike on city of Sumy

UPDATES NUMBER OF INJURED; ADDS MORE STATEMENTS ON RUSSIAN MISSILE ATTACK; UPDATES HEADLINE; MINOR EDITS

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Ukraine said on Sunday that over 30 people were killed by a Russian missile strike on the northeastern city of Sumy, some 31 kilometers (19.2 miles) from the Russian border.

A statement on Telegram by Ukraine's State Emergency Service said the number of those killed during the attack rose to 32, including two children, as of 14.10 pm local time (1110GMT).

The service later reported that, as of 15:35 pm (1235GMT), the number of injured climbed to 99 people, including 11 children, and that search and rescue operations at the scene continue.

“On this bright day of Palm Sunday, our community suffered a terrible tragedy. The enemy launched a missile strike on civilians. Unfortunately, more than 20 deaths are already known,” acting Sumy Mayor Artem Kobzar said on Telegram, mentioning a special day for Christians ahead of Easter.

The Sumy City Council later announced that three days of mourning have been declared in the northeastern region starting on Monday.

In two separate statements on X, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the world to "not stay silent or indifferent" to the attacks, saying such strikes deserve "nothing but condemnation."

Zelenskyy also reiterated the need to further pressure Russia, as well as to provide Ukraine security guarantees.

He claimed that in the absence of pressure and sufficient support for Ukraine, Moscow will continue to drag out the conflict.

"Unfortunately, there in Moscow they are convinced they can keep killing with impunity. Action is needed to change this situation," he added.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also said on X that Russia refused to accept the US proposal for a full ceasefire for the second month in a row, even though Kyiv unconditionally accepted the proposal on March 11.

"Instead, Russia ramps up its terror. We urge partners to provide Ukraine with additional air defense capabilities and increase pressure on Moscow," Sybiha said, arguing that strength is the only language Moscow can understand.

Ukraine's Defense Intelligence claimed that the attack on Sumy was carried out using two Iskander-M ballistic missiles launched from Russia's Voronezh and Kursk regions, respectively.

Russian authorities have not immediately commented on the attack or the claims.