A Russian strike jet dropped a glide bomb hit a nursing home in Ukraine’s north-central Sumy region on Thursday, killing 1 resident, injuring 13, and forcing the evacuation of 147 elderly living at a care center.
The semi-guided weapon was by firepower standards in the Russo-Ukrainian War relatively small, probably with no more than 250 kilograms of high explosive.
It struck the roof of the Sumy Geriatric Pensionate for Veterans of War and Labor (SGPVW), a state-run institution serving elderly unable to care for themselves fully, with limited family support, or both.
The Soviet-era residential SGPVW complex is located in Sumy city’s northwestern suburbs. In peacetime, the facility is a dilapidated but leafy place typical of provincial Ukrainian social institutions.
Adjacent to the nursing home, and also built before Ukraine became independent, are a cardiological hospital, a children’s hospital, a general hospital, two schools and a pastoral green space with a lake and wooded trails called Veteran’s Park.
The semi-guided weapon was by firepower standards in the Russo-Ukrainian War relatively small, probably with no more than 250 kilograms of high explosive.
It struck the roof of the Sumy Geriatric Pensionate for Veterans of War and Labor (SGPVW), a state-run institution serving elderly unable to care for themselves fully, with limited family support, or both.
The Soviet-era residential SGPVW complex is located in Sumy city’s northwestern suburbs. In peacetime, the facility is a dilapidated but leafy place typical of provincial Ukrainian social institutions.
Adjacent to the nursing home, and also built before Ukraine became independent, are a cardiological hospital, a children’s hospital, a general hospital, two schools and a pastoral green space with a lake and wooded trails called Veteran’s Park.
Many residents were frail, and the bomb blast potentially threatened all with worsened health. Wheelchairs were left upstairs.
Mass casualty processing was on the front lawn. There were cots for some, but others had to lie on blankets on the ground.
One 78-year-old woman died from injuries, in hospital. Some injured on Thursday still were in serious condition, an Emergency Situations Ministry Friday statement said.
