According to the Ukrainian television channel “Obshchestvennoye,” the explosions occurred in Shostka, Sumy, northern Ukraine, during an air raid alert.
A message on the Telegram channel “Obshchestvennoye” stated, “At least five explosions were heard in Shostka, Sumy, this evening.”
Sumy has been a frequent target of Russian military operations due to its proximity to the Russian border.
Some notable events in the region throughout 2025 include:
April 3, 2025: A Russian ballistic missile attack on Sumy city center killed at least 35 people and injured 117. This attack was recorded as the deadliest attack on civilians in Ukraine since 2023. The attack occurred during church services on Palm Sunday, and two children were also killed. Ukrainian authorities stated that cassette munitions were used in the attack, while BBC Russian reported that high-explosive incendiary (HEI) munitions were used. The attack allegedly targeted a planned military awards ceremony for Ukraine’s 117th Territorial Defense Brigade. The Governor of the Sumy Oblast Military Administration, Volodymyr Artyukh, was dismissed due to the planning of this ceremony.
June 3, 2025: Russian forces attacked Sumy city center with multiple-launched rocket systems. At least four people were killed and 28 injured, including three children. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the attack targeted civilians and that one rocket struck the wall of a nine-story apartment building but failed to explode.
July 7-8, 2025: Explosions were reported in the Sumy region between 11:40 and 11:45 a.m. This incident was part of a broader wave of attacks by Russian forces across Ukraine.
General Situation: Sumy region, due to its proximity to Russia’s Kursk and Belgorod regions, was subject to intense Russian attacks in 2025. Following a surprise operation by Ukraine in Kursk in the summer of 2024, Russian forces intensified their attacks on Sumy. It was reported that 50,000 Russian troops were concentrated in the region and aimed to establish a buffer zone. It was also reported that Russian forces launched intense missile and drone attacks targeting civilian infrastructure in April and May, increasing civilian casualties.
These explosions demonstrate that Sumy is frequently targeted due to its strategic location and the ongoing war. Ukrainian officials have demanded more air defense systems and tougher sanctions against Russia from the international community. However, Russian officials maintain that the attacks targeted Ukraine’s military infrastructure and that civilians were not deliberately targeted.
Source: Musitem Haber
