Café in Sumy becomes a rescue point after missile strike injures civilians

Andriy, a barista at a café in Sumy, told Suspilne that wounded civilians were brought into the café after a nearby strike, and employees helped administer first aid.

“There were already several wounded sitting out front. A lot of doctors were working inside, and our team helped carry people to ambulances,” he said. “We gave whatever help we could — antiseptics, tourniquets, bandages.”

He said people rushed into the café after new missile launches were reported, seeking shelter in its semi-basement space.

By the next day, first-aid kits were still scattered around the café, but the staff had cleaned up and reopened to customers.

“Some things were left behind — a handbag, a vest. I’m so thankful for the medics who stayed calm and helped everyone. We just ran around and gave what we had,” one employee said.

Valeriy Myronchyk, co-owner of a nearby restaurant, said the scene was chaotic but staff stepped in to help: “We pulled in two people — a woman who was bleeding and a man from the same bus — and gave them first aid. We just did what we could.”

No restaurant staff were injured, and the building remained mostly intact. Myronchyk said only the window panes cracked in several spots.

“They shifted and cracked a bit, but didn’t fall out thanks to the advertising film,” he said.