Russian cluster bomb attack on Ukraine kills dozens, including children

William Brangham:

There is more fallout from a Russian missile strike in Northeast Ukraine that killed dozens of civilians on Palm Sunday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Russia filthy scoundrels, while President Trump blamed both Ukraine and Russia for the start of the war.

Nick Schifrin reports.

Nick Schifrin:

In a shattered Sumy today, sorrow is stated with flowers, with childhood comforts, and with profound grief of 20-year-old student Anisia Yaluzhko.

Anisia Yaluzhko, Sumy Resident (through translator):

It hurts. Every Ukrainian is hurt. It hurts. It's scary to be here, but there's nowhere else where I can find myself. This is my home.

Nick Schifrin:

Yesterday, on Palm Sunday, a Russian weapon designed to target infantry hit the heart and mind of this city. A camera attached to a Ukrainian police officer walking through destruction that included a college found the dead among the dust and debris and families alive, but traumatized, others, an unspeakable loss.

In total, at least 35 killed, some inside their cars burn beyond recognition. The Russian cluster bomb also ripped through a bus, where 13-year-old Karilo Ilyashenko (ph) and his mother survived.

Woman (through translator):

It all happened so fast. It got so dark when the explosion happened. Glass shattered into our faces. We touched each other, but couldn't see each other, as it was still dark.

Donald Trump, President of the United States: I think it was terrible. And I was told they made a mistake. But I think it's a horrible thing.

Nick Schifrin:

Last night, President Trump suggested the attack was inadvertent.

Question:

You mean it was unintentional?

Donald Trump:

They made a mistake.

Baiba Braze, Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs: The Russians knew what they were doing. There's no way they can say that, oh, it was just a mistake.

Nick Schifrin:

But, in Brussels today, unanimous European horror.

Radoslaw Sikorski, Polish Foreign Minister:

I hope that President Trump and the U.S. administration see that the leader of Russia is mocking their goodwill, and I hope the right decisions are taken.

Nick Schifrin:

Just three days ago, Trump envoy Steve Witkoff held his hand to his heart as he met Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Today, President Trump for the first time accused Putin of launching the war, but also falsely accused Ukraine of provoking it.

Donald Trump:

Biden could have stopped it and Zelenskyy could have stopped it, and Putin should have never started it. Everybody's to blame.

Question:

Have you spoken to President Zelenskyy, sir, about his offer to purchase more Patriot missile battles?

Donald Trump:

You don't start a war against somebody that's 20 times your size, and then hope that people give you some missiles.

Nick Schifrin:

That ambiguity has challenged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's faith in U.S. support, as he told CBS' 60 Minutes.

Question:

Does the United States have your back?

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President (through translator):

Even in this pause of mine, there's a problem, because I want to answer truthfully and quickly that the United States is our strategic, strong partner. But the pause is doubt.

Nick Schifrin:

Today, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed the target in Sumy was legitimate.

Sergey Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister (through translator):

There was yet another mob up of the Ukrainian military commanders and their Western colleagues.

Nick Schifrin:

But, in Sumy today, there is no evidence of that. And as the U.S. pushes peace, Russia continues its attacks. Ukraine has no choice but to suffer, no choice but to clean up the pieces.

For the "PBS News Hour," I'm Nick Schifrin.