A Russian drone attacked a funeral procession in Sumy, killing one person and injuring 14 others
A Russian FPV drone attacked a funeral procession heading to a city cemetery in Sumy, on May 23, 2026. The strike killed one person and wounded 14 others. A further four people, including a minor, were later injured in another attack on the city, the Sumy City Military Administration stated.
llustrative photoAccording to the head of the city administration, the drone, preliminarily identified as fiber-optic guided, hit the roadway next to a bus carrying members of the funeral procession.
The regional administration later clarified that a man who sustained critical injuries died in the hospital.
“Regrettably, one man has died from serious injuries sustained. Another remains in the intensive care unit. Two of the injured have been taken to the hospital, and 11 are receiving outpatient treatment,” the statement reads.
The military administration later reported that a 16-year-old girl was injured in an FPV drone strike on the outskirts of Sumy. The girl was at a public transport stop at the time. The child has also been taken to the hospital.
In the evening, the city administration reported that three people were injured in a park area of the city when a Russian drone was shot down. All three were taken to the hospital.
Meanwhile, the number of people wounded in a Russian drone attack on Balakliia, the Kharkiv Oblast, has risen to nine.
“Today, the city of Balakliia is under a massive attack by enemy UAVs,” said Oleh Synehubov, head of the Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration. “Nine people received injuries of varying severity. Medics are providing the victims with all necessary assistance.”
The Russian strikes sparked fires in the city. Nine cars, a post office, a hotel, a cafe, an educational facility, a high-rise building, and a sports facility were damaged.
The State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported that Russian forces attacked Balakliia for the second time in a day, destroying a religious building. An attack drone strike caused a fire covering 1,300 square meters. There were no people in the church at the time of the strike.
Aftermath of the strike on Balakliia. Photo credit: Vitaliy KarabanovThe strike damaged the Light of the Gospel church building in one of the city’s neighborhoods, said Vitaliy Karabanov, head of the Balakliia City Military Administration.
The Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor’s Office reported that a woman was killed and four other people were injured in Russian attacks on Kharkiv Oblast on 23 May.
According to its statement, at around 06:00, a Russian drone, type not yet identified, attacked a VAZ vehicle travelling along the Derhachi-Kozacha Lopan road between the villages of Nova Kozacha and Tsupivka.
The attack killed an 86-year-old woman who was a passenger in the car. The driver, her son, was injured and taken to the hospital.
In addition, at around 11:35, Russian forces struck the city of Balakliia in the Izium District. Early reports indicate that the Russians used two Geran-type jet-powered UAVs.
One strike was recorded near a sports complex and another near an apartment block. The attack damaged vehicles and shattered windows in nearby buildings.
Moreover, Russian forces launched a missile strike on civilian infrastructure in the Odesa Oblast on the evening of May 23, wounding nine people, including three children.
“The enemy launched a missile strike on the civilian infrastructure of the Odesa region,” said Oleh Kiper, head of the Odesa Regional Military Administration. “According to preliminary data, nine people were wounded as a result of the strike, including three children aged 8 to 12.”
Seven of the wounded were taken to hospitals. Doctors assess the condition of one adult as severe, while the children are in moderate condition. Information regarding the full consequences of the attack is still being clarified.
Previously, ZMINA reported that during the first four months of 2026, law enforcement agencies opened 2,010 criminal proceedings over attacks by short-range Russian drones.
Ukrainian experts point out that countries, including China, the United States of America, North Korea, Hungary, Slovakia, Iran, and Brazil, assist Moscow in killing Ukrainians in its war against Ukraine by funding the Russian budget through trade.
Bruce said that the U.S. is urging Russia to allow humanitarian workers access to areas under its control.
“While we await answers to those questions, we underscore the need for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire as a means towards a durable, negotiated end to the war. This death and destruction must stop now,” she said.
She also noted that the US is once again calling on Russia and Ukraine to end the war, which has affected millions of people.
“We urge you to negotiate in good faith to end this violence,” U.S. Deputy Ambassador to the UN Tammy Bruce stated.
Bruce stressed that the US remains committed to a diplomatic resolution and is prepared to do everything possible to achieve lasting peace.
