Drone Strike on Ukrainian Bakery Kills One, Injures Another in Early Morning Attack on Sumy

In the early hours of Friday morning, Russian forces launched a drone assault on a bakery in the Ukrainian city of Sumy, killing one civilian and injuring another. The attack took place at approximately 5 a.m. on 18 April 2025 and involved three Geran-2 unmanned aerial vehicles, according to the Sumy Regional Prosecutor’s Office.

The strike hit one of the region’s key manufacturers of bakery and confectionery products. During the attack, a 61-year-old delivery driver, who had been loading products onto a vehicle, lost his life. A 55-year-old bakery employee sustained injuries. In addition to the human toll, the bakery’s infrastructure and delivery vehicles were seriously damaged.

Mykhailo Melnyk, head of the Sumy Regional Military Administration, noted in a public statement that the attack specifically impacted production of Easter bread, an important seasonal tradition for many Ukrainian families.

Authorities have launched a pre-trial investigation under Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which pertains to war crimes resulting in death. The probe aims to document and prosecute violations of international humanitarian law carried out by the Russian Federation.

The value of the damages is still being assessed. However, early estimates suggest significant financial and logistical losses. The destruction of production equipment and transport vehicles will severely disrupt bread distribution across the region.