The troops of the Russian Federation carried out a massive air strike on the city of Sumy, using guided aerial bombs (KAB). Civilian infrastructure, including a comprehensive school building and the adjacent private residential sector, was targeted by the invaders. According to official data from the Ukrainian authorities, there are dead and wounded among civilians as a result of the terrorist attack.
Rescue of Students and Actions of Teachers
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, classes were ongoing in the school building at the time of the strike. The tragedy was avoided thanks to the coordinated and prompt actions of the teaching staff and the school management. Due to timely notification, about 100 children and teachers managed to descend into a shelter, which prevented mass casualties among minors.
However, it was not possible to completely avoid destruction and human losses. Residential houses in the private sector were damaged by the blast wave and shrapnel. Head of the Sumy RMA Oleh Hryhorov and the President of Ukraine confirmed the deaths of two people who were in their homes at the time of the shelling. Another six people were injured of varying severity, among them three children.
Contradictory Data
Official reports and messages from various mass media show certain discrepancies in the details of the attack. Thus, specialized departments and the President of Ukraine state the use of four guided aerial bombs that hit directly in the city center and the school. At the same time, some alternative sources, citing operational summaries, reported three or even five dropped aerial bombs. In addition, initial data on the number of children in the school differ: from the official estimate of 100 evacuated persons to local testimonies of 40 children in specific shelters.
Aftermath and Emergency Liquidation
All emergency services, SES rescuers, medics, and sappers continue to work around the clock at the destruction site in Sumy. Sumy Mayor Artem Kobzar published video footage from the scene, recording the scale of destruction. Preliminarily, the complete destruction of one residential building and serious damage to other buildings in the residential sector, as well as educational buildings, have been recorded.
