At least 21 people were killed and 83 others wounded in a Russian ballistic missile strike on the northern Ukrainian city of Sumy on Sunday morning, in what has been described as one of the deadliest attacks on Ukraine this year. The strike hit a bustling area of the city, with victims found on the streets, in public transport, vehicles, and buildings, Ukrainian officials said.

The timing of the attack – on Palm Sunday, a significant Christian religious day – has added to the outrage. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy denounced the strike, calling for a strong international response and labeling it an act of terror.

“Only scoundrels can act like this. Taking the lives of ordinary people… on a day when people go to church: Palm Sunday,” Zelenskiy posted on social media, along with harrowing footage showing bodies lying on the street, a destroyed bus, and charred vehicles.

Civilian destruction called ‘deliberate’

Ukraine’s Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said the missile strike deliberately targeted civilians during a religious feast day. “Deliberate destruction of civilians on an important church feast day,” Klymenko wrote. He confirmed that the victims included people on foot, traveling in public transport, in private vehicles, and inside buildings at the time of the impact.

The strike triggered an outpouring of grief and condemnation across Ukraine and the international community.

US envoy visit sparks fresh scrutiny

The missile attack came just two days after U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, a special representative of former President Donald Trump, held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg as part of an effort to negotiate a peace deal. The timing of the Sumy strike has drawn criticism from Ukrainian officials, with Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Centre for Countering Disinformation, accusing Russia of “building diplomacy around strikes on civilians.”

“Russia is building all this so-called diplomacy… around strikes on civilians,” he posted on Telegram.

Zelenskiy reiterated his demand for stronger U.S. and European action, stating that missile strikes and aerial bombs cannot be stopped by talks alone. “Russia wants exactly this kind of terror and is dragging out this war. Without pressure on the aggressor, peace is impossible,” he warned.

War continues despite ceasefire talk

The missile strike on Sumy underscores the ongoing intensity of the war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Russia currently occupies around 20% of Ukraine’s territory in the east and south. Although both nations agreed last month to avoid strikes on each other’s energy infrastructure, Russia claimed on Saturday that Ukraine carried out five attacks on its energy facilities – calling it a violation of the U.S.-brokered moratorium.

Ukraine, however, maintains that it is Russia that has repeatedly breached the pause with continued drone and missile strikes on Ukrainian civilian areas.

China on Thursday, April 10, reiterated its commitment to promoting peace in the Ukraine conflict while cautioning against “irresponsible remarks” from relevant parties, in an apparent response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s recent allegations.

Zelensky had claimed on Wednesday that 155 Chinese citizens were fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, a statement that drew sharp rebuttals from both Beijing and Moscow.

During a regular news conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian emphasized China’s neutral position, stating, “I would like to reiterate that China is neither the initiator of the Ukrainian crisis nor a participating party. We are a firm supporter and active promoter of a peaceful settlement.”

Without directly naming Zelensky, Lin urged all concerned parties to “correctly and soberly understand China’s role and refrain from making irresponsible statements.”

China, which has maintained a “no-limits” strategic partnership with Russia since early 2022, has positioned itself as a mediator in efforts to end the war, avoiding any direct criticism of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine that began in February of that year.

Lin also reiterated Beijing’s official guidance to its citizens, urging them to avoid armed conflict zones and “refrain from participating in military actions on either side.”

Zelensky’s comments stemmed from reports of two Chinese nationals captured by Ukrainian forces in eastern Ukraine, where Russian troops have been making gains. He alleged that Russia was recruiting Chinese citizens through social media, with the knowledge of Chinese officials, and that Ukraine’s security services had compiled detailed lists including names, birth dates, and military unit assignments of these individuals.

Zelensky further suggested that Ukraine was investigating whether these recruits were acting under instructions from Beijing, labeling their involvement as Russia’s “second mistake” in the war—following what he and Western nations describe as the deployment of over 11,000 North Korean troops to Russia’s Kursk region.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin, on the same day, dismissed Zelensky’s assertions that China was being drawn into the conflict.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters, “This is not the case. China maintains a balanced position. China is our strategic partner, friend, and comrade.” Peskov argued that Moscow was not pulling Beijing into the fray and countered, “Zelenskyy is wrong.”

The backdrop to these exchanges is the deep ties between Russia and China, which were formalized days before President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. This partnership has allowed both nations to coordinate closely on geopolitical issues, with China often acting as a counterbalance to Western influence.

The iconic Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo was bustling with musicians, athletes, and government officials when debris began to fall from the ceiling, landing in patrons’ drinks.

Tragedy struck with the collapse of the entire roof, claiming the lives of at least 98 individuals and injuring around 160 in one of the worst nightclub disasters in the Dominican Republic’s history. As concrete slabs crashed down, more than 114 people were killed, and many others were trapped on a packed dance floor where attendees were enthusiastically enjoying a merengue concert early Tuesday morning. Authorities reported over 255 injuries.

Among the deceased was Rubby Pérez, a beloved merengue star who had been performing just moments before the calamity. His body was recovered early Wednesday, according to emergency operations director Juan Manuel Méndez.

Rescue teams continued to search for survivors more than a day after the incident. “We will remain here as long as there are reports of missing persons,” Méndez stated.

Assistance arrived from rescue teams from Puerto Rico and Israel on Wednesday to aid local officials in their efforts.

As night fell on Tuesday, families and friends still searching for their loved ones gathered outside the club, where a guitarist played soothing melodies while they sang hymns.

Only 32 victims have been identified thus far in what is marked as one of the Dominican Republic’s deadliest disasters. Reports indicate that among the victims were a cardiologist, a government architect, a retired police officer, and the brother of the vice minister of Youth.

Also among the deceased are MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel and Dominican player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera, as confirmed by Satosky Terrero, spokesperson for the Professional Baseball League.

Nelsy Cruz, the Governor of Montecristi province and sister of seven-time MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz, informed President Luis Abinader about the disaster. Tragically, she called for help from beneath the rubble but later succumbed to her injuries in a hospital.

Other casualties included saxophonist Luis Solís, who was performing on stage when the roof fell, several Venezuelan bartenders, and an Army officer who left behind four daughters. Grupo Popular, a financial services firm, noted that three of its employees perished, including the president of AFP Popular Bank and his wife. Unfortunately, many more victims remain unidentified.

“I’ve searched all the hospitals and haven’t found her,” lamented Deysi Suriel, who was desperately trying to locate her friend, 61-year-old Milca Curiel, during her vacation in the Dominican Republic.

Numerous anxious relatives flocked to the National Institute of Forensic Pathology to search through lists of victims, while others scoured hospitals, clutching photos of their loved ones.

“There’s a lot of pain,” commented Senator Daniel Rivera, the former public health minister. “We must exercise patience.”

Among those desperately looking for their families was Kimberly Jones, whose godson, 45-year-old artist Osiris Blanc, and his friends were unaccounted for.