More than 20 people have been killed in a Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy.
Local officials said two ballistic missiles struck the heart of the city at around 10.30am local time as people gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday.
Videos posted from the scene on official channels show bodies on the ground amid debris and smoke around central Sumy.
The city’s acting mayor, Artem Kobzar, said on social media: “On this bright Palm Sunday, our community has suffered a terrible tragedy. Unfortunately, we already know of more than 20 deaths.”
At least 21 people were killed as a result of the attack, the Prosecutor General’s Office said, citing initial investigation results.
A further 83 people were injured, including seven children.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed rescue efforts are ongoing and he said “dozens” had been killed in the double missile attack.
“According to preliminary information, dozens of civilians were killed and wounded,” he said. “Only filthy scum can act like this – taking the lives of ordinary people.”
Mr Zelensky called for a global response to the attack, adding: “Talks have never stopped ballistic missiles and aerial bombs. What’s needed is an attitude toward Russia that a terrorist deserves.”
The strike comes less than a day after Russia and Ukraine’s top diplomats accused each other of violating a tentative US-brokered deal to pause strikes on energy infrastructure, underscoring the challenges of negotiating an end to the three-year war.