Ukraine is currently mourning the victims of a brutal missile attack that occurred in Sumy on Palm Sunday. As the nation grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, the Apostolic Nuncio in Ukraine has emphasized the need to turn to God for solace and protection. In the midst of ongoing violence and conflict, it seems that only divine intervention can bring about peace and stability in the war-torn country.
By Francesca Sabatinelli and Lisa Zengarini
On 13th April, Palm Sunday took a tragic turn in Ukraine, particularly in the city of Sumy. What should have been a day of celebration and worship quickly became a day of mourning and devastation. Located just 50 kilometers from the Russian border, Sumy bore the brunt of a deadly missile strike that claimed the lives of at least 34 individuals, including children, and left over 100 others injured. Instead of preparing to mark the beginning of Holy Week, the victims found themselves caught in a senseless act of violence.
There’s nothing left but to turn to the Lord to defend us
In a poignant statement to Vatican News, Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, the Apostolic Nuncio in Ukraine, expressed a deep sense of helplessness in the face of such violence. He emphasized the need to seek divine protection, as no human force seems capable of restoring peace and preserving life in the region. The attack on Palm Sunday, a day of sacred significance for Christians, underscored the gravity of the situation in a nation already besieged by conflict.
European Union: Yet another war crime
The missile attack on Sumy is just the latest in a series of devastating incidents in Ukraine. President Zelensky condemned the attack, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the violence that struck ordinary civilians going about their daily lives. NATO and the European Union also decried the assault, labeling it as yet another war crime that must be addressed through international cooperation and solidarity.
European Union foreign ministers are convening to discuss the implications of the recent attack and explore ways to support Ukraine in the face of ongoing Russian aggression. As the world watches with horror and disbelief, the need for collective action to end the cycle of violence and bring about lasting peace in Ukraine has never been more urgent.
