Russia Launches Missile Strike on Popiv Community in Sumy Region, Two Injured

On the evening of April 4, 2023, Russia executed a missile strike on the Popiv community, located in the Konotop district of the Sumy region. This attack led to injuries to two individuals, among whom was a 65-year-old woman who required hospitalization, while a man received assistance on the scene. According to Oleg Grygorov, the head of the Sumy Regional Military Administration, the attack caused damage to residential buildings, raising concerns among local residents.

It is noteworthy that the missile strike occurred amid an increase in air threats across Ukraine. At 19:59, an air raid alert was declared in the Shostka district of the Sumy region, signaling to residents the possibility of new attacks. The Ukrainian Air Forces had warned throughout the day about the activity of Russian tactical aviation in the east and northeast of the country. Specifically, at 16:15, they reported a threat of launching KABs (winged aerial bombs) from Russian aircraft in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions.

Subsequently, at 16:35, the Air Forces detected the launch of Shahed drones, which were flying towards Zaporizhzhia. By 16:39, new Shahed drones were reported moving from the Black Sea area towards Zatoka, and at 16:51, launches of KABs in the Zaporizhia region were recorded. At 17:10, the Air Forces confirmed information about a missile heading towards Konotop.

Moreover, at 17:17, the Air Forces reported the activity of Shahed drones on the border of Kharkiv and Sumy regions, heading towards the Poltava region, as well as launches of KABs towards the Donetsk region. At 17:47, another warning was issued regarding the threat of launching KABs in the Sumy region, and at 18:29, the Air Forces reported new Shaheds flying towards Kharkiv from the north.

At 18:42, Oleg Grygorov provided information about the missile strike on the Popiv community, confirming that people were injured and buildings were damaged as a result of the attack. By 18:49, the Air Forces again warned of Shaheds flying west from the northern part of the Chernihiv region. At 19:00, Suspilne reported explosions that were heard in Sumy, and at 19:12, Shaheds were again detected moving towards the Poltava region.

As of 19:50, an air raid alert was declared in the Chernihiv, Koryukivka, and Novhorod-Siversky districts of the Chernihiv region, as well as in the Okhtyrka and Sumy districts of the Sumy region, the Poltava district of the Poltava region, the Kharkiv and Bohodukhiv districts of the Kharkiv region, and in the Donetsk region. This situation indicates a continuation of the escalation of the conflict and poses a threat to the civilian population in Ukraine.