Friedrich Merz labels the missile strike on Ukraine’s Sumy a serious war crime, calling it a deliberate attack on civilians that resulted in numerous casualties.
Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting, Friedrich Merz, has labelled Russia’s missile strike on the city of Sumy, Ukraine, a ‘serious war crime’, following an attack that resulted in the deaths of at least 34 individuals and left over 100 injured. This occurred at approximately 10.15am local time on Palm Sunday, a day when worshippers had gathered for religious observance.
The attack, executed with two ballistic missiles, targeted the heart of the northern city, which is devoid of any military installations in the vicinity. Eyewitness accounts and footage depict the chaotic scene, with victims sprawled on the streets and vehicles engulfed in flames. Disturbing images included a mother tending to her daughter, who suffered injuries from shrapnel.
Speaking to the German broadcaster ARD, Merz described the incident as a ‘perfidious act’, conveying his belief that the strike was both deliberate and aimed at civilians. He asserted, “There are two waves of attacks and the second arrived as emergency workers were taking care of the victims,” further stating that these actions reveal a perception of weakness in international negotiations regarding peace efforts.
The missile strike comes in the wake of Russia’s refusal of a Ukrainian ceasefire offer made just over a month prior. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack, stating, “Only scoundrels can act like this, taking the lives of ordinary people. And this on a day when people go to church.” He insisted that without consistent pressure on Russia, peace would remain elusive.
The attack drew sharp rebuke from various international leaders, with Zelensky urging allies for stronger action against Russia. UK Opposition Leader Sir Keir Starmer expressed his horror at the assault on civilians, calling for an immediate ceasefire. Meanwhile, US envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg remarked that the event “crosses any line of decency,” indicating potential shifts in US diplomatic relations with Russia, highlighting discord within the administration as President Donald Trump has previously been hesitant to issue strong criticisms.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk used stark language to describe the situation, referring to it as “The Russian version of a ceasefire. Bloody Palm Sunday.” French President Emmanuel Macron emphasised that Russia’s actions display a blatant disregard for human life and international law, calling for strong measures to enforce a ceasefire.
The attack occurred only two days following a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US peace envoy Steve Witkoff, where discussions on a potential truce took place. Following the talks, Trump indicated that negotiations were progressing favourably, yet the missile strike suggests the Kremlin’s disinterest in halting the ongoing conflict.
Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, suggested that the attack was executed with the intent to “kill as many civilians as possible.” Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February of the previous year, approximately 20 per cent of Ukrainian territory has come under Russian control, with recent months seeing a continued aerial assault on civilian areas and infrastructure. The situation in Sumy serves as a stark reflection of the escalating violence and its tragic toll on innocent lives amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Sumy_airstrike – This URL corroborates the details of the missile strike on Sumy, including the number of fatalities and injuries, as well as the timing and nature of the attack during Palm Sunday. It also reports that the strike was executed using two ballistic missiles.
- https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/04/14/zelenskyy-slams-russia-as-ballistic-missiles-strike-sumy-killing-dozens-of-civilians – This source confirms the reactions of international leaders, including President Zelenskyy, who condemned the attack as a heinous act targeting civilians. It also provides additional context about the local impact and reactions to the strike.
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/russia-missiles-strike-sumy-ukraine-palm-sunday/ – This article supports the narrative of the attack, highlighting the use of ballistic missiles and the lack of military installations in the area. It also mentions the international condemnation, including statements from US officials.
- https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65293544 – This news article could provide broader international reactions and perspectives on the Sumy attack, although it is not directly available in the search results, it would typically cover statements from leaders like Merz and Macron.
- https://wwwDW.com/en/ukraine russian attacks escalate amid diplomatic tensions/a-65096026 – This link would report on the escalating violence and diplomatic tensions surrounding the conflict, including recent attacks like the one in Sumy, although it is not directly available.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative references recent events and figures in their current roles. However, without specific dates or a clear timestamp for the article, it is somewhat challenging to verify its exact freshness.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
Quotes from Friedrich Merz, Volodymyr Zelensky, and other leaders are reported, but without specific original sources or dates. These might be original to this narrative or reported elsewhere, but no direct online sources were found to verify their origin.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from a well-known publication (Daily Mail), which generally increases reliability, although the Daily Mail has been criticized for sensationalism in the past.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims made in the narrative are plausible given the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the reactions of international leaders to similar incidents in the past. The details about military actions and international responses align with what is known about the conflict.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative appears to be relatively fresh, referencing current events and figures. The quotes are plausible but lack direct verification, and the source is generally reliable. The claims are plausible and consistent with known developments in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
