Source: Amnesty International –
- At least seven civilians killed and dozens injured in 3 June strike
- Attacks using unguided Grad rockets must be investigated as war crimes
- “Inherently inaccurate weapons must not be fired at areas densely populated with civilians” – Brian Castner
Civilians in Sumy city in Ukraine are under increased unlawful attacks as the Russian military increase strikes in the region, Amnesty International said today.
In Sumy city earlier this month, Russian forces fired unguided 122mm Grad rockets from a multiple rocket launch system (MRLS), killing at least seven civilians and injuring dozens more. These unguided munitions are inherently inaccurate and have wide area effects, and should therefore never be used in populated areas with civilians.
Sumy city centre, approximately 40 kilometres from the border with Russia, is home to an estimated 200,000 people, the vast majority civilians who have continued living there during Russia’s war of aggression. In recent weeks, Russia has captured several settlements in the region. The Russian military now appears to be within artillery range of Sumy city as they attempt to capture further territory.
“Our research has shown how Grad rockets have caused death and destruction across a wide area of Sumy city. These indiscriminate attacks must be investigated as war crimes,” said Brian Castner, Amnesty International’s Head of Crisis Research.
“Russia’s continuing war of aggression has wreaked havoc on civilian life in Ukraine. Inherently inaccurate weapons must not be fired at areas densely populated with civilians.
“As the Russian military appears to be increasing attacks on Sumy and elsewhere across Ukraine, we again call for international humanitarian law to be respected. Civilians are not targets.”
Inherently inaccurate weapons must not be fired at areas densely populated with civilians.
Brian Castner, Amnesty International’s Head of Crisis Research
Amnesty International conducted remote interviews with nine people who witnessed strikes in Sumy on 3 June 2025. It also analyzed dozens of photos, videos and social media posts, including footage from the immediate aftermath of the strikes and photos of weapons fragments that confirmed the use of 122mm Grad rockets. Amnesty International visited five out of a reported seven impact locations to verify when and where a strike occurred.
According to recent data from the UN’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, casualties from Russian attacks have increased significantly in Ukraine in recent months, particularly in regions closer to the front lines. According to Ukrainian authorities, the Russian military are carrying out between 80 to 120 shellings in Sumy Oblast per day.