A Russian drone strike on a civilian minibus in north-eastern Ukraine on Saturday left at least nine people dead and seven others injured.
The attack occurred in Bilopillia, Sumy.
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.
Speaking on 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.”
