Russian Drone Strike in Sumy Destroys Trucks and Stresses Shelter Dogs

Trucks burned, dogs injured: the consequences of the Russian army’s strike on Sumy

In the night of September 28, 2025, the city of Sumy came under attack from Russian drones. At a parking lot near the shelter for stray animals, seven private trucks caught fire. There were no human casualties reported, but material damage was recorded on the scene.

Firefighters said that due to the threat of further strikes they had to periodically suspend firefighting and secure the area around the zone, but the fire was localized and the flames were not allowed to spread.

Impact on transport and animals

Seven private trucks that were parked near the temporary animal shelter were damaged. As a result of the fire, substantial material damage and property destruction occurred.

At the shelter for homeless animals, the animals experienced strong stress: a Cane Corso from the kennel named “Zara” managed to push the bars of the enclosure, trying to escape from the explosion. The morning after the strike, most of the dogs spent on sedatives; some animals showed anxious reactions and refused to eat.

Security guards were posted in advance over the shelter, but the dog “Zara” disappeared after the blast; volunteers are taking care of the animals, and a missing-dog notice has been posted on social networks.

“The first explosion was very strong, and then a few milder ones. There were a total of 13 explosions. Of course they got scared; it was burning, I hear, in the morning the women say that it burned badly. We didn’t see anyone anywhere, we have no shelters, there’s nowhere to hide, we’ll cover ourselves with a blanket and sit”

According to Natalia Sushko from the Sumy Society for the Protection of Animals, after the night strikes many dogs are in a state of stress: some come out of their kennels only with sedatives, others are much more unsettled.

According to volunteers, one of the guards said that an Alabai disappeared; so the organization posted notices on social networks asking for help to locate the animal.

According to city authorities, the nighttime strikes also damaged infrastructural facilities, but there were no injuries or deaths among people. Everything is under control for now.

“There are signs of criminal offenses in their actions, provided for by Article 345 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine ‘Threat or Violence Against a Law Enforcement Officer’ and Article 194 ‘Intentional Destruction or Damage to Property’. The respective notices have been sent to the National Police”