Russia has strongly condemned what it described as a “terrorist attack” after a Ukrainian drone allegedly struck a bus carrying a Belarusian youth sports team in the Bryansk region, killing one woman and injuring several others, including children.
The incident, which took place on Wednesday in western Russia near the Ukrainian border, has sparked outrage in both Moscow and Minsk, with Russian officials accusing Kiev of deliberately targeting civilians.
According to Bryansk Region’s acting governor, Egor Kovalchuk, the bus was carrying 44 passengers, including 28 children, when it came under attack. Belarusian Deputy Health Minister Aleksandr Khodzhaev confirmed that eight people were hospitalized, among them six children.
The Kremlin swiftly denounced the strike, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov calling it a “terrorist act by the Kiev regime.” Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered Health Minister Mikhail Murashko to ensure all victims receive urgent medical care.
“This attack once again demonstrates Kiev’s willingness to target civilians, including minors,” Peskov said.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also condemned the strike, accusing Ukraine of “hunting” civilians and showing “no hesitation” in putting children at risk.
Zakharova linked the incident to a previous drone attack on a school dormitory in Starobelsk last month, which she claimed killed 21 people, escalating Moscow’s narrative that Ukraine is increasingly targeting non-military sites.
Belarusian lawmaker Oleg Gaidukevich called the strike part of a growing pattern of “extremist actions” by Ukraine.
“Russia and Belarus are fully capable of combating terrorism and extremism, and they will respond firmly,” Gaidukevich said on Telegram.
Russia’s human rights commissioner Yana Lantratova labeled the attack a war crime under international humanitarian law, emphasizing that “defenseless civilians, including children,” were among the victims.
Authorities in both Russia and Belarus have launched criminal investigations into the strike, classifying it as an act of terrorism.
The incident adds another layer of tension to the already volatile Russia-Ukraine conflict, as cross-border drone attacks continue to intensify amid stalled peace efforts and growing regional instability.
The Ukrainian government has not yet officially commented on the allegations.