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A Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Sumy, which killed 34 people - including two children - and injured 117 others, has been strongly condemned by Kyiv's Western allies, BBC reported.

Two ballistic missiles struck the city centre mid-morning on Sunday, exploding near the state university and congress centre, leaving bloodied bodies scattered in the streets.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the attack "horrifying" while Germany's chancellor-in-waiting, Friedrich Merz, accused Russia of committing a war crime.

There was no immediate official comment on the attack from Russia, whose forces across the nearby border are said to be preparing for a major offensive, according to BBC.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that the government alone is not enough to realize the common aspirations of a prosperous nation. "We can achieve success only with the joint efforts, hard work and contribution of all Nepalis inside and outside the country.”

In a message of best wishes on the occasion of the New Year 2082 today, Prime Minister Oli has said that in the new year we seek new energy new resolutions and new possibilities, and I am confident that this year will inspire us all to develop hope, enthusiasm and positive thinking for our common resolve to make the country prosperous and the people happy.

Describing ethnic, regional, cultural and religious diversity as common assets of our nation, he has emphasized that we should move forward by developing unity between them as a strength and not as opposing forces.

In his message, the Prime Minister has said that the youth generation is the potential of the nation and in order to bring their passion, energy and creativity into the mainstream of nation building the government has adopted a policy of making the youth self-reliant and confident through entrepreneurship, technology, education and self-employment.

“We should embrace the changes brought about by the country’s democratic system and resolve to move forward in a more positive direction. We should overcome the tendency to spread despair and instead move forward with faith in patriotism, unity and progress.”

President Ram Chandra  Paudel has appealed to all to come together with enthusiasm for the progress and prosperity of the nation and move forward with a common resolve. 

In a message of best wishes on the auspicious occasion of the New Year 2082 today, he has said Nepalis consider the New Year as an auspicious occasion to review the past and make promises and resolutions for the coming days. “It is our tradition to set life goals on special occasions and days and to remain committed to fulfilling them throughout our lives. Hence, the New Year is a day for us to set a common national goal for the country and resolve to achieve it,” he has said in the message.

Stating that Bikram Sambat is a Shaurya Sambat based on ancient Hindu tradition and Vedic chronology, he said that this Sambat represents our civilization, social life and traditions, reminds us of Nepal's glorious past and inspires us to move forward towards a prosperous future.

President Paudel has emphasized the need to work for the development of agriculture, tourism and water resources to achieve prosperity, while expressing the confidence that today will inspire us all to become more democratic, just and result-oriented.

A Russian strike on Sunday killed 32 people, including two children, and injured many more in the city of Sumy in northeastern Ukraine.

Ukraine said Russia launched ballistic missiles on Sumy's city Centre on Palm Sunday.

The attack came two days after US ambassador Steve Witkoff visited Russia to speak with its leader, Vladimir Putin, and despite US President Donald Trump's calls for Moscow to cease the war, according to AFP.

Sumy is on the Russian border and has been under increasing pressure in recent weeks.

Rescuers said the strike hit the city centre "right when there were many people on the street."

It is one of the deadliest attacks by Russia in Ukraine in recent months as Moscow pushes on with its more than three-year-long invasion of its neighbor, AFP reported.

Moscow has not yet commented on the strike.