A top official in Kyiv said a Russian strike caused a fire on the roof of a perinatal center in Ukraine’s Sumy region, with dozens of children, patients, and staff still inside.
Andriy Yermak, head of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s office, said in a Monday post on X that all managed to reach the shelter—11 children, 35 patients, and 120 staff—and preliminary reports say there were no casualties. “The Russians continue the bombardment,” Yermak said.
Why It Matters
Moscow denies deliberately targeting civilians and has accused Ukraine of regularly hitting Russian civilians with drones, missiles, and artillery, characterizing such incidents as “terror attacks.”
The latest strike in Sumy illustrates the ongoing threat to civilians as Russia continues to wage a brutal war against Ukraine, despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to broker peace and end the bloodshed. It follows a drone strike on passenger trains in the Sumy region on Saturday that killed one and injured at least 30 others.
Zelensky Says Russian Drones, Missiles Use Western Tech
The Ukrainian president had earlier highlighted the number of foreign components used in Russian attack drones and missiles, including tech from companies in the U.S. and Europe. He is calling for tougher sanctions against Moscow and stricter enforcement.
“Partners already possess the detailed data on each company and each product—they know what to target and how to respond,” Zelensky said in a Monday post on X.
“This week, the G7 sanctions coordinators will meet, and we expect a systemic decision to ensure that the sanctions are truly effective. It is crucial to shut down every scheme that circumvents sanctions, because Russia uses each one to keep killing. The world has the power to stop this.”
Trump Mulls Tomahawk Missiles for Ukraine
The White House is considering a request from Zelensky for Tomahawk missiles, which have a range of some 1,500 miles and would put Moscow and the Kremlin within reach of Ukrainian forces.
Ukraine wants the cruise missiles so it can strike long-range targets deep inside Russia, such as energy infrastructure and military bases, though it would also need American intelligence and assistance to use Tomahawks.
Trump is yet to make a final decision on the request, but Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned it would be a serious escalation of the war and destroy the recent improvement in relations between the two countries.
The U.S. has for months sought to bring the conflict to an end, engaging with Putin and Russia directly through diplomatic means, but to no avail.
What Happens Next
Frustrated by the lack of progress, Trump is now looking to apply harder pressure, such as sanctions and secondary tariffs on key Russian trading partners, including China and India, as well as supplying Ukraine with better weapons.
Updated, 10/6/25, 6:06 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with more information.