Kyiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – A Russian ballistic missile attack on Ukraine’s northeastern city of Sumy killed at least 21 people and wounded 83 on Palm Sunday, Kyiv said, in another deadly attack on civilians that came after a top US official travelled to Russia.

Sumy lies close to the Russian border and has come under increasing attack for weeks.

The strike hit Sumy’s city centre two days after US envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian leader Vladimir Putin and despite US President Donald Trump urging Moscow to end the war.

“Russia hit the city centre with ballistic missiles. Right when there were many people on the street,” Ukraine’s state emergency service said.

“People were injured right in the middle of the street, in cars, public transport, and in houses,” emergency services said as rescue operations were ongoing.

“According to preliminary data, 21 people have been killed.”

The interior ministry said 83 people, including seven children, were wounded in the strike.

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky called for a “strong response” from Europe and the US.

“Enemy missiles hit an ordinary city street, an ordinary life: houses, educational institutions, cars on the street,” he said on social media.

“And this is on a day when people go to church: Palm Sunday, the feast of the Lord’s Entry into Jerusalem.”

He added: “Only bastards can do this.”