During an air strike on Sumy on 16 September, Russian forces completely destroyed the home of the family of the young Ukrainian biathlete Marta Gerko. The athlete’s parents managed to take cover after being warned of the guided bombs, whilst Marta herself was returning from school at the time of the explosions. The whole family survived and were unharmed.
Marta was on her way home from school when the explosions rang out
The destruction of the house was reported by Ukrainian Biathlon Federation. According to her, on 16 September, Russian troops attacked Sumy with guided aerial bombs.
Marta’s parents managed to take shelter after hearing the reports of the launches. The athlete herself was driving home from school at the time and was very close by when the explosions went off.
The family survived, but their house was completely destroyed. The Biathlon Federation has called on the sporting community to support the Herko family following the loss of their home.
Two KABs struck a residential area in Sumy
The air strike on 16 September targeted, in particular, the residential area of the neighbourhood Baranivka. According to Suspilne, two KABs struck a residential area; one of the houses was completely destroyed. It was there that journalists spoke to a family who had managed to take shelter in the cellar just a few minutes before the strike.
In total, as a result of that attack in Sumy One person was killed and nine others were injured, including children. In the residential sector, three private houses were completely destroyed, whilst more than two dozen others were damaged.
The strikes also hit the city’s industrial area. Fires broke out following the explosions, and rescue workers had to clear away large amounts of rubble.
Marta Gerko competes in junior biathlon
Marta Herko is representing the Sumy region at the junior biathlon championships.
In August 2026, she came third place in the sprint for girls born in 2012 and younger at the Sumy Oblast Summer Biathlon Championships, which were held in Lviv Oblast due to the security situation.
Thus, the Russian air strike left the young athlete’s family homeless just a few weeks after she had competed in the regional championships.
The Ukrainian Biathlon Federation has reported that the family needs help following the complete destruction of their home.
