Thirty-two people were killed and over 80 others wounded by two Russian ballistic missiles that slammed into the heart of the northern Ukrainian city of Sumy on Sunday morning, Ukrainian officials said.
The missiles struck at around 10.15am as people gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday, according to officials.
Videos posted from the scene on official channels showed bodies on the ground amid debris and smoke around central Sumy.
“On this bright Palm Sunday, our community has suffered a terrible tragedy,” Acting Mayor Artem Kobzar said in a statement on social media.
The State Emergency Service of Ukraine said children were among the victims.
At least one of the missiles was equipped with cluster munitions to maximise casualties, Andriy Yermak, top aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said on Telegram.
Zelensky confirmed that rescue efforts were ongoing and said “dozens” had been killed in the double missile attack.