Sumy Coffee Shop Blast: 5 Killed Including Teenager in Russian Strike
Surveillance footage from a coffee shop in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy has captured the moment customers and staff scrambled for cover as explosions rang out nearby. The attack, which occurred on Saturday, killed five people and injured at least 30 others, according to Mayor Artem Kobzar.
The video, obtained by local authorities, shows three angles: one outside the shop and two inside. As the first blasts are heard, people inside immediately drop to the floor, crouching behind counters and tables. Moments later, when the explosions subside, individuals rush inside the shop to seek shelter, while those already inside remain huddled.
Among the dead was a 13-year-old girl, the mayor confirmed in a Telegram post. He said the strike used glide bombs — guided munitions dropped from aircraft — which hit a residential area near the coffee shop. Rescue operations continued through the evening, with emergency workers searching through debris.
The attack has drawn condemnation from Ukrainian officials and international observers. Sumy, located about 30 kilometres from the Russian border, has faced repeated shelling and air strikes since the war began in February 2022. The city has no major military installations, raising concerns about the targeting of civilian infrastructure.
Glide bombs, which are less expensive than cruise missiles, have been used increasingly by Russian forces to strike deep into Ukrainian territory. They are equipped with wings and guidance systems, allowing them to be launched from a distance and hit targets with precision. However, as in this case, they can cause significant civilian casualties when falling in populated areas.
The United Nations and human rights groups have repeatedly called for the protection of civilians in armed conflict. The International Criminal Court is investigating war crimes in Ukraine, but accountability remains a long-term prospect.
This incident adds to the growing toll of civilian casualties in Ukraine. According to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, over 10,000 civilians have been killed and more than 18,000 injured since the invasion began, though actual figures are likely higher.
Local authorities in Sumy have urged residents to stay in shelters and follow air raid warnings. The city has experienced a surge in attacks in recent weeks, part of a broader Russian offensive in the eastern Kharkiv region.
The coffee shop, a popular local spot, has been closed indefinitely. Its owner, who declined to be named, said they were “devastated” by the loss of life and are cooperating with investigators.
