Ukrainian drone strikes Belarusian tourist bus
Three people have been injured after a Ukrainian drone struck a tourist bus traveling from Belarus to Russia’s Black Sea coast, officials from both countries said on Thursday.
The bus, carrying 19 passengers from the Belarusian capital Minsk to the resort city of Anapa, was hit near the Krasny Kamen border crossing in Russia’s Bryansk Region.
Acting Bryansk Region Governor Egor Kovalchuk said that the “Ukrainian terrorists” used an aircraft-type drone in what he described as a “targeted strike on civilians.”
The two Belarusian drivers suffered shrapnel wounds, while the Belarusian Health Ministry later reported that one passenger had also been injured. Emergency crews were dispatched to the scene.
Passengers were evacuated to a temporary accommodation center, where they received hot meals and psychological support. Belarusian citizens were later transported to the Gomel Region, while six Russian nationals remained at the facility in Bryansk Region.
The Krasny Kamen crossing was temporarily closed following the attack, causing long lines of cars and buses.
Russia’s Investigative Committee has opened a terrorism case, accusing the Ukrainian military of carrying out another attack on civilians. Investigators said that they are working to identify the type and model of the drone used.
Minsk strongly condemned the strike. Belarusian MP Oleg Gaidukevich called it another attempt by Kiev to draw Belarus into the wider Russia-Ukraine conflict, but said that Belarus would not be provoked and that “everyone involved in terrorism and extremism will be held accountable.”
The incident comes just over two weeks after another Ukrainian drone struck a bus carrying a Belarusian youth soccer team in Bryansk Region, killing the coach’s wife and injuring several others, including children.
Belarus described that attack as a “monstrous crime,” while President Alexander Lukashenko called it a deliberate provocation. Kiev denied responsibility.
The latest strike also follows a series of threats by Vladimir Zelensky against Belarus. Last month, he demanded that Minsk dismantle alleged drone relay stations near the border, warning that Kiev would destroy them if Belarus failed to act.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned Kiev against expanding the conflict, saying that Moscow is prepared to defend Belarus under their joint security pact, which includes the potential use of nuclear weapons.
