Russians struck “Epicenter” and a residential building in Sumy: there are casualties
21 July 01:51
On the evening of July 20, Russian occupation forces carried out a series of drone attacks on Sumy. One of the strikes was recorded at the “Epicenter” shopping center, where a massive fire broke out. At the same time, the Russians attacked a residential area of the city—six people were injured in the strike, including four children.
Local media outlet “Sumy Debates” and local Telegram channels reported on the fire at the hypermarket, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
According to preliminary data, a Russian FPV drone struck the building.
“Epicenter” caught fire in Sumy following the strike
Reports of the strike on the shopping center began coming in around 10:40 p.m. on Monday, July 20.
According to “Sumy Debates, ” a Russian FPV drone struck the “Epicenter” building, after which the shopping center was engulfed in a massive fire.
Footage posted on social media showed thick smoke and flames rising above the building. The exact extent of the damage and information about possible casualties inside the shopping center were initially being verified.
Some media outlets later reported that the building had been significantly destroyed by fire; however, at the time this article was prepared, there was no official assessment of the extent of the damage from the State Emergency Service or the “Epicenter” chain’s administration.
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High-Rise Hit: Six People Injured
The fire at “Epicenter” was not the only consequence of the evening attack on Sumy.
A Russian jet-powered drone also exploded near a high-rise residential building. The blast wave damaged windows and other structural elements in the nine-story building.
Oleg Grigorov, head of the Sumy Regional Military Administration, reported that the number of people injured as a result of the strike on the residential area has risen to six—two adults and four children.
The following were taken to the hospital:
- an eight-year-old boy;
- a 16-year-old girl.
According to preliminary information, their injuries were not serious. The other victims received on-site medical care and were not hospitalized.
The Sumy Regional State Administration emphasized that all recorded strikes hit civilian targets—residential buildings and other urban infrastructure.
Sumy was attacked several times throughout the evening
Reports of explosions in Sumy came in throughout the evening. Local media reported seeing new drones heading toward the city even after the strike on a residential building and a shopping center.
In particular, explosions were heard again in Sumy following a report of a fire at the “Epicenter” shopping center. Residents were urged to remain in shelters due to the threat of further attacks.
Earlier that same day, Russian forces also struck a high-rise building in Sumy. A woman and two children were injured in the attack, and windows were blown out of the building.
FPV drones are increasingly targeting Sumy
Sumy is located near the Russian border, which is why the city is increasingly finding itself within the range of FPV drones.
Anti-drone nets have begun to be installed in the city to protect civilian routes. As of July 20, they had protected about 12.5 kilometers of roads, but drones continue to attack residential neighborhoods, cars, businesses, and civilian facilities.
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