President Zelensky condemns the Russian drone strike as a deliberate war crime targeting civilians, with the attack coinciding with diplomatic discussions on a potential ceasefire.
Tragic Drone Strike in Ukraine Claims Nine Lives
Tragic Drone Strike in Ukraine Claims Nine Lives
A Russian drone attack on a civilian bus in Ukraine leaves nine dead and over 40 injured amidst ongoing ceasefire negotiations.
A devastating drone attack in the Dnipropetrovsk region of Ukraine resulted in nine fatalities and left more than 40 individuals injured on Wednesday morning. The strike occurred in the south-central city of Marhanets, where a bus carrying workers—many of whom were women from a local mining and processing plant—was targeted, as reported by local officials.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the assault as "an egregiously brutal attack – and an absolutely deliberate war crime," emphasizing that the bus was clearly a civilian target. Images from the scene revealed significant damage, with a gaping hole in the roof, doors blown off, and shattered glass littering the floor.
The tragic incident unfolded while critical talks aimed at securing a ceasefire were underway in London, involving top officials from the Trump administration who later withdrew from the negotiations. The U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff initially intended to participate but were replaced by General Keith Kellogg, who referred to the discussions as simply "technical meetings."
Zelensky noted that Ukraine remains in communication with its international partners regarding potential ceasefire arrangements. "Stopping the killings is our primary objective," he stated, reiterating that Ukraine is open to various formats that could lead to peace.
Throughout this volatile period, drone strikes have also continued in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, for a second consecutive day. In a contrasting announcement, Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously declared a temporary ceasefire for Easter Sunday; however, accusations of violations from both sides followed.
As tensions rise, the U.S. has been actively involved in discussions aimed at brokering a truce, while contemplating recognizing Crimea as Russian territory—a proposal Zelensky firmly opposes. The ongoing war, which began with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, has resulted in a staggering toll, with hundreds of thousands reported dead or injured across all involved parties.
