Russian drones have targeted a passenger bus and a train in southern Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of five individuals, Ukrainian authorities reported on Wednesday. The attacks are part of Moscow’s ongoing strikes on transportation infrastructure in the region.
A photograph shared by a regional governor on Telegram displayed a white vehicle with shattered windows and what appeared to be blood stains running down its side. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks as senseless acts of violence, calling for increased sanctions from the U.S. and Europe against Russia.
In recent months, both Russia and Ukraine have engaged in escalating attacks on logistical and economic targets to disrupt each other’s military operations and morale. Following Russia’s invasion in 2022, Ukraine’s airspace has remained closed, making buses and trains crucial modes of transportation for civilians and businesses.
The drone strike on the passenger bus near Nikopol resulted in the deaths of four men and a woman, with seven others sustaining injuries. Additionally, a passenger train in Ukraine’s Mykolaiv region was targeted by a Russian drone, but all 168 passengers and crew were safely evacuated with no injuries reported.
President Zelenskyy highlighted that a locomotive in Kovel, near the Polish border, was also hit in the attacks. The assaults on railway infrastructure have intensified, with a significant number of passenger wagons, locomotives, and stations being targeted by Russian forces this year.
As the conflict continues, Russia has framed the upcoming parliamentary election as a gauge of public support for the war in Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin urged Russians to participate in the election, emphasizing the importance of demonstrating unity and resolve in the face of external pressures.
The political landscape in Russia remains tightly controlled, with the ruling United Russia party, supported by Putin, expected to maintain its dominance in the upcoming election. Putin’s televised address called on citizens to vote as a show of solidarity in securing Russia’s victory and preserving national sovereignty amid ongoing challenges.
