Russia says it struck Ukrainian officers’ meeting in Sumy

ISTANBUL

Russia said it struck on Sunday a meeting of Ukrainian officers in the Sumy region, where Kyiv said Russian strikes killed 34 people and injured 119 others.

Ukrainian authorities said the strike on the northeastern city of Sumy, 31 kilometers (19.2 miles) from the Russian border, occured as people gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday, which starts the Christian celebration of Holy Week.

According to Ukraine's Defense Intelligence, the attack was carried out using two Iskander-M ballistic missiles launched from Russia's Voronezh and Kursk regions.

The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the attack in a statement on Monday, saying more than 60 Ukrainian servicemen were killed, and accusing Kyiv of using its people as “human shields.”

It also accused Ukraine of placing military facilities, as well as organizing events involving military personnel, in the center of a densely populated city.

Ukrainian authorities did not immediately comment on Russia’s claims.