A Russian drone strike targeted a civilian minibus in northeastern Ukraine on Saturday, killing at least nine people and injuring seven others.
The attack occurred in Bilopillia, Sumy, according to reports.
The drone targeted a shuttle bus that was transporting civilians near the city of Bilopillia at 6:17 a.m. local time, the Sumy Regional Military Administration reported on Telegram as quoted by Kyiv International.
Sumy is located close to the Russian border.
The strike occurred just a day after Ukraine and Russian authorities met for the first time in Istanbul in three years.
According to reports, no breakthrough was reached in the meeting.
Sharing several images of the attack on X, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said: “There are currently seven wounded people in hospitals following a Russian drone strike on an ordinary passenger bus. The victims have suffered burns, fractures, and blast injuries.”
He said the injured people are receiving medical treatment.
“Tragically, nine people were killed. All the details are being verified. According to preliminary reports, the Russians killed a family: father, mother, and daughter died in the attack,” he said.
He said all the deceased in the attack were civilians.
“Yesterday, as on any other day of this war, there was an opportunity to cease fire. Ukraine has long been offering this — a full and unconditional ceasefire in order to save lives. Russia retains nothing but the ability to continue killing,” he said.
‘More Pressure’
Zelenskyy said pressure should be exerted on Russia to stop the killing of innocent people.
Zelenskyy said, “Pressure must be exerted on Russia to stop the killings. Without tougher sanctions, without stronger pressure, Russia will not seek real diplomacy.”
Speaking at the Istanbul summit, he said, “Yesterday in Istanbul, everyone saw a weak and unprepared Russian delegation without a meaningful mandate. This must change. Real steps are needed to end the war. We are expecting strong sanctions against Russia from the United States, from Europe, and from all our partners.”
Istanbul Meet
Ukraine and Russian delegations met for the first time in Turkey’s Istanbul, where they agreed to swap 1,000 prisoners-of-war each.
This was the first face-to-face talk between representatives of the two warring nations in three years.
‘Satisfied With Outcome’
Speaking after the meeting, Vladimir Medinsky, who headed the Russian delegation, was quoted as saying by RT.com: “We are satisfied with the outcome and are ready to continue contacts.”
He said: “A large-scale prisoner exchange will take place, 1,000 for 1,000 people.”
Ukraine’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Heorhii Tykhyi, was quoted as saying by BBC that during the meeting, Russia made a ‘number of demands’ which remained unacceptable.
(With inputs from IBNS)
