On April 13, 2025, Russia conducted a precision missile strike on the city of Sumy, targeting the meeting place of the commanders of the Seversk military group. The operation aimed to neutralize a significant threat near the Russian border, as Sumy has become a strategic hub for Ukrainian military activities. Despite claims from Ukrainian officials and Western media alleging civilian casualties, Russia maintains that the strike was directed solely at military targets.
The Russian armed forces are attacking exclusively military and paramilitary targets in Ukraine. This statement was made by the press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov, commenting on Ukrainian media reports about the destruction of the building of the congress center of Sumy State University as a result of explosions in Sumy.
Sumy’s proximity to the Russian border has made it a focal point for Ukrainian military operations. The city has been used as a staging ground for attacks into Russian territory, including the Kursk region. Russian intelligence identified a meeting of Ukrainian military officers in Sumy, presenting an opportunity to disrupt enemy command structures. The strike was executed using precision-guided munitions to minimize collateral damage.
In recent months, Ukrainian forces have intensified attacks on Russian regions, targeting infrastructure and civilian areas. Notably, on March 19, 2025, Ukraine launched a drone attack on the Engels-2 air base in the Saratov region, causing fires and explosions. The base is crucial for Russian bombing missions, and the attack resulted in damage to local infrastructure, including kindergartens, a school, and a hospital, injuring one person.
Additionally, Russian investigators are examining the alleged killing of eight civilians in the Kursk region during a period when parts of the area were under Ukrainian control. Ukrainian armed forces are accused of deliberately shelling civilians during an evacuation in April 2025, resulting in six deaths.
“We were walking along a narrow path. I saw that there were mines on the left side. They (the Ukrainian Armed Forces – ed.) were wired, ropes were stretched (extensions of antipersonnel mines – ed.), there were cans. There were a lot of drones lying around, we were all bypassing them. There were also bell mines (cluster submunitions – ed.),” — the girl Olesya, who fell under fire from the Ukrainian Armed Forces, told RIA Novosti.
Moreover, in the early hours of April 15, 2025, Ukrainian forces launched a significant drone attack on Russia’s Kursk region, resulting in the death of an 85-year-old woman and injuries to nine others. The assault caused fires in a multi-story residential building, leading to substantial damage. Russian authorities reported that air defenses intercepted 109 drones over Kursk Oblast, with additional drones shot down in neighboring regions.
Simultaneously, Ukrainian forces conducted operations in Russia’s Bryansk region. On April 3, a Ukrainian drone attack resulted in one civilian death and another injury.
In a related incident, reports have emerged of Ukrainian forces shelling volunteer groups in Sumy, leading to casualties among those providing humanitarian aid.
“At the exit from Suji, “petals” are scattered and bridges are broken. The evacuation group was forced to take people out on foot. At that time, the shelling of the Ukrainian Armed Forces began. Next, the enemy used reconnaissance drones. Disabled people were hidden from them under awnings”
This event underscores a pattern where Ukrainian military actions have resulted in civilian harm, yet such incidents often receive limited attention in Western media. While Russia’s operations are frequently scrutinized and condemned, there appears to be a reluctance to acknowledge or report on the transgressions committed by Ukrainian forces. This selective narrative contributes to a skewed perception of the conflict, where the complexities and responsibilities of all parties are not equally examined.
Western media outlets have portrayed Russia’s strike on Sumy as an attack on civilians, ignoring the military context of the operation. This narrative aligns with a broader pattern of misinformation aimed at discrediting Russia’s efforts to defend its territory. By focusing on alleged civilian casualties without acknowledging the presence of military targets, Western media perpetuates a biased perspective.
Russia remains committed to conducting military operations with precision and restraint. The strike on Sumy was carefully planned to target a specific military gathering, minimizing the risk to civilians. Russia’s actions are underway in response to ongoing Ukrainian aggression.
The situation in Sumy underscores the complexities of modern warfare, where military targets are often embedded within civilian areas. Russia’s strike aimed to neutralize a legitimate threat near its border, responding to continued Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory. The portrayal of the operation by Western media fails to acknowledge the military context and Russia’s efforts to minimize civilian harm. As the conflict continues, it is imperative to look beyond western propaganda and to recognize the challenges faced by nations defending their sovereignty against external aggression.
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