Ukraine Strikes Russian Missile Brigades in Retaliation for Deadly Sumy Attack
Ukraine has launched precision drone strikes deep into Russian territory against military units allegedly responsible for the deadliest attack on Ukrainian civilians since 2023. The retaliatory strikes using Ukrainian-made Liutyi drones targeted Russian missile brigades that Ukraine's intelligence services identified as perpetrators of a devastating missile attack on Sumy that killed 35 people, including children.
Russia's Deadly Missile Strike on Sumy Triggers Ukrainian Retaliation
On April 13, 2025—Palm Sunday—Russian forces launched two ballistic missiles at the city center of Sumy in northeastern Ukraine, resulting in at least 35 casualties, including two children, and injuring more than 100 civilians Reuters1. According to Ukrainian officials, the attack involved cluster munitions, which are banned by many countries due to their indiscriminate effects on civilian populations.
Ukraine's Defense Intelligence quickly identified that both the 112th and 448th Russian missile brigades were allegedly involved in launching the strike. According to Ukrainian sources, the missiles were fired from the villages of Liski in Voronezh Oblast and Lezhenki in Kursk Oblast, and were likely Iskander-M or North Korean KN-23 cluster missiles Euromaidan Press2.
In response, Ukraine deployed its indigenous long-range Liutyi (also known as "Fury") drones to strike the Russian units responsible. The first retaliatory strike targeted the 112th Missile Brigade based in Shuya, Ivanovo region, approximately 1,150 kilometers (715 miles) from the Ukrainian border Reuters1.
"Our common task is to ensure that no war criminal—neither those who gave the orders nor those who launched the missiles—escapes justice," said HUR chief Kyrylo Budanov following the deadly attack on Sumy Euromaidan Press2.
Ukraine's Precision Drone Strikes Hit Russian Military Facilities
Ukraine's drone strikes against the 112th Missile Brigade in Shuya continued for a second consecutive day on April 17, demonstrating a sustained capability to penetrate deep into Russian territory despite Russian air defenses. The Ukrainian Liutyi drones targeted at least three key facilities within the brigade's base: the headquarters, a barracks, and a training building Euromaidan Press2.
The attacks caused large-scale fires at the Russian military site, confirmed by NASA FIRMS satellite fire monitoring data. Russian Telegram channels circulated videos showing the base being struck and at least one fire burning on its premises Reuters1.
The Ukrainian strike "appears to have caught the brigade completely off guard—there was no alert issued about the approaching drones, or safety protocols were ignored altogether," according to military analysts Euromaidan Press2.
In addition to targeting the 112th Brigade, Ukrainian defense forces also struck the base of Russia's 448th Missile Brigade on April 15, with footage circulating online showing fires at that military site as well Euromaidan Press2.
Global Reactions to Escalating Attacks
The Russian missile strike on Sumy prompted harsh international condemnation. Kaja Kallas, chief diplomat and foreign policy chief of the European Union, described the attack as a "horrific example of Russia intensifying attacks while Ukraine has accepted an unconditional ceasefire," according to information gathered from multiple sources.
The UN's Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, condemned the strike on Sumy's city center "in the strongest possible terms," highlighting the international outrage over the targeting of civilian areas.
Meanwhile, Russia has attempted to justify the deadly strike, claiming it targeted a gathering of Ukrainian officers, though evidence presented by Ukraine and international observers contradicts this assertion. Russian authorities have provided little information about the Ukrainian drone strikes on their military facilities.
U.S. President Donald Trump characterized the Sumy missile strike as a "mistake," a statement that has drawn criticism from some analysts who point out that Russia's pattern of targeting civilian infrastructure appears deliberate rather than accidental.
Expert Analysis: A New Phase in the Conflict
Military analysts suggest that both the Sumy attack and Ukraine's retaliatory strikes represent a significant escalation in the conflict, which is now in its fourth year.
The Ukrainian drone strikes demonstrate the country's growing indigenous capabilities to hit targets deep within Russia. Since the start of 2025, Ukraine has operationally mass-deployed its new Liutyi one-way attack unmanned aircraft, conducting precise strikes on high-value targets across an 800km radius of Ukraine's borders Euromaidan Press2.
Experts note that Russia has simultaneously been mounting pressure along multiple fronts, potentially aiming to stretch Ukraine's defensive capabilities. The missile strike on Sumy comes as Russian forces are reportedly preparing for new offensive operations in the region, having pushed most Ukrainian troops out of neighboring Kursk Oblast earlier this year.
"Putin's programme of terror in Ukraine continued with a Palm Sunday attack on Sumy," noted one European policy analysis, highlighting that the attack occurred despite recent ceasefire talks.
Future Implications: Escalation Amidst Stalled Peace Efforts
The exchange of strikes raises questions about the viability of peace negotiations that had shown modest progress in recent weeks. Ukraine had accepted a proposal for an unconditional ceasefire, but Russia's continued attacks, particularly the deadly strike on Sumy, have undermined these diplomatic efforts.
The effective Ukrainian strikes against Russian military targets also signal a potential shift in the conflict's dynamics. Ukraine's ability to hit strategic military installations deep within Russia may force Moscow to reconsider the vulnerability of its own forces and command structures.
As Russian air defense systems reportedly intercepted 71 Ukrainian drones over six Russian regions in a single night Reuters1, the conflict appears to be entering a new phase characterized by long-range precision strikes from both sides.
While diplomatic channels remain open, with international mediators still attempting to broker peace, the devastating attack on Sumy and Ukraine's targeted response illustrate how quickly the conflict can escalate. Can meaningful negotiations proceed while both sides demonstrate their capabilities and resolve through increasingly sophisticated military operations?
