On 13 April 2025, in the heart of Sum, 1 of the most tragic rocket attacks has occurred since the beginning of the year. On Sunday morning, Russian fire destroyed part of the city center.
Sums are not just victims and destruction. The focus was on the event, which took place just before the attack: a ceremony to award awards to the 117th Territorial Defence Brigade. Organized in public space, in the mediate of the city, during a spiritual holiday.
According to the Geneva Conventions, deployment of military forces among civilians during the war is prohibited if this increases the hazard to civilians. Conventions require the parties to the conflict to clearly separate military and civilian targets in order to minimise the hazard to the population. This rule is chronically violated not only in the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Russia claims that the mark of the attack was soldiers participating in the ceremony. Ukraine – that it was a terrorist attack against civilians. Anyway, it was a very risky decision. It may have been due to the desire to “hiddle” military presence behind the facade of civilian life and may have been interpreted by Russia as a legitimate military target.
The Ukrainian authorities reacted rapidly and firmly. The politician of Volodymyr Artiuch and Artem Lysohor – the politician of the Luhansk region were dismissed 2 days after the attack. Officially – for deficiency of effective crisis management. Unofficially – for organizing (or at least tolerating) a ceremony that could draw the enemy's fire to civilian targets. Artiuch himself claims he was just an invited guest. But local politicians and residents did not accept the translation.
Member of the Ukrainian Parliament Marian Bezuhel revealed on social media that the Russians carried out a rocket attack due to the assembly, during which the awards were scheduled to be given to soldiers on the anniversary of the creation of the local brigade. "Russia shot down downtown Sum on Palm Sunday. Appeal to Syria and separately to the Commander of Territorial Defence: do not gather military personnel for honours, especially in civilian cities “The Russians had information again,” said the MP.
It's a brutal reminder that war isn't just on the front lines. It takes place in decisions – where to set the podium, what hr to choose, who to be invited. all choice carries a risk. And sometimes, the price is unacceptable.
Leszek Miller
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