It was one of the most massive attacks of the Russian army in recent months: at least 34 people died in it, and 117 are injured. According to military experts, Russia attacked the city with the help of treacherous fragmentary-buckthorn shells Iskander-M. They can also carry nuclear heads. So Russia sends its deadly missiles, while negotiations with Donald Trump got stalled. How will the US president react to this humiliation? Finally – although it has long been bragging that it will end Russia's war with Ukraine – the Kremlin clearly shows that he does not intend to bend and that he is defiting the cards.
Ralph D. Thiele, chairman of the German Political and Military Society and president of EurodeFence Germany, understands time and location:-It was an attack on the occasion that Ukraine honored his “heroes Kursk” there with medals-he says.
The Governor of the region, Wołodymyr Artiukczin, became the target of serious accusations because of this military assembly – only 30 km from the border with Russia. The mayor of another city said about Artiukczin: “As far as I know, he was warned so as not to do such things.” According to reports, none of the soldiers [obecnych w Sumach z okazji uroczystości wręczenia medali] was not injured; They managed to shelter on time.
PAP/EPA/State Emergency Service of Ukraine Handout/PAP
Ukrainian rescuers working at the place of rocket impact in the center of SUM, Ukraine, April 13, 2025.
Does Putin wake up a nuclear stick?
Iskander shells can be equipped with atomic heads. Thiele, however, does not believe in a nuclear threat. – The Kremlin was close to the use of nuclear weapons two or three times. But it has always been in situations where the Russians were in trouble. It wasn't in the sums – he said. However, the fact that the Kremlin uses sparks for such attacks means that “Russians have enough of them.”
Iskanders are used when the Russians want to play the attack safely. Marcel Berni, head of strategic studies at the ETH Military Academy, told Blick: – Russia deployed them because they are very difficult to shoot down because of their high speed. Drones often do not hit the target and can be easier to be captured.
What does the Kremlin say and does the attack on sum mean a new level of escalation?
The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed the attack using two Iskander missiles and talked about over 60 killed Ukrainian soldiers. The sender of Russia 1 initially informed that it was the Ukrainians who bombed themselves with the anti -aircraft rocket in the sums to torpedo peace negotiations.
According to Bernie, the attack is not a new level of escalation, but: “We observe that Russia is more and more often attacking Ukrainian goals since the start of diplomatic negotiations.”
For Thiele, an attack can be a trailer for the spring offensive. Thiele: – Bearing in mind any peace negotiations, both sides want to exhaust their capabilities to be in a good position for conversations – he assessed.
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How does Donald Trump react?
Because Russian President Vladimir Putin did not agree to the peace plan a few weeks ago, US President Donald Trump threatened him with huge sanctions and criminal duties. However, after the attack on the sums, Trump refreshes. He said about the Russians: “I think it was terrible and I was told that they made a mistake.” He did not explain what he meant by mistake.
Trump also claimed that talks between US and Russia delegations were successful a few days ago. Berni states: – Trump does not seem to be prepared to break contacts with Moscow – or to expose them. He sticks to the negotiated solution for which Putin needs.
How should the West react?
Western countries condemn an attack on sums. The future German Chancellor Friedrich Merz accuses Putin of “a serious war crime.” According to Bernie, “the West should react unanimously and repeatedly emphasize the unlawfulness of attacks for civil purposes.” The problem, however, is that the criticism of Russia from Washington under the new US administration has been indecisive so far.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
