A Russian missile strike on Ukraine’s northeastern city of Sumy killed at least 32 people, including two children, and wounded dozens on Sunday, Kyiv said, in the deadliest attack in months.

European leaders expressed indignation at Moscow’s attack on Sumy’s city centre, while Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, pointing out it happened on Palm Sunday, said: “Only bastards do this.”

French President Emmanuel Macron said it showed Russia’s “blatant disregard for human lives, international law and the diplomatic efforts of President (Donald) Trump”.

The strike came two days after US envoy Steve Witkoff travelled to Russia to meet with President Vladimir Putin and push Trump’s efforts to end the war.

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

The local emergency service said on social media that the latest toll was that “32 people died , including two children” and that “84 people were injured, including 10 children”.

An AFP reporter saw bodies covered in silver sheets strewn in the centre of the city, with a destroyed trolleybus. Rescuers were seen working on the rubble of a building.