Sumy Region, Ukraine – May 21, 2025 — A deadly Russian missile strike on a Ukrainian training exercise in the border region of Sumy has killed six servicemen and wounded more than 10 others, according to Ukraine’s National Guard. The strike, which occurred at a military firing range, has triggered an official investigation and the suspension of the unit’s commander.
The Russian Defence Ministry earlier released a video claiming to show an Iskander missile targeting the training site, while Russian state agency Tass reported—without evidence—that as many as 70 soldiers may have been killed. Ukraine has not confirmed such a high death toll, and the Russian footage has yet to be independently verified.
The Sumy region, located near Russia’s Kursk oblast, has faced relentless bombardment for months. Ukrainian forces previously launched a limited occupation of part of the Kursk region, which they described as an effort to establish a buffer zone and safeguard Sumy. While Ukraine’s military maintains that the operation had strategic value, internal criticism over heavy losses has surfaced, with some commanders denouncing the planning as “moronic” and wasteful.
The attack marks a significant blow to Ukraine’s defense posture in the north. BBC Verify located the training site in the far northern reaches of Sumy, relatively close to the Russian border. The National Guard said it had implemented an “algorithm of actions” to prevent mass casualties during exercises, but acknowledged a failure in this case.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Kursk region a day before the strike. His visit included meetings with local officials and a tour of a nuclear power plant, according to Russian state media.
Amid stalled battlefield progress and ongoing attrition, hopes for a ceasefire remain dim. Talks between Ukraine and Russia held in Istanbul last Friday yielded little progress. A proposal floated by former U.S. President Donald Trump, suggesting the Vatican mediate peace talks, was met with caution. The Vatican has yet to formally engage, calling the notion more “aspiration than plan.”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he expects Russia to soon present “broad terms” for a ceasefire. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remains skeptical, warning that Moscow is simply “trying to buy time to prolong the war and occupation.”